Marriage and Family in China

Marriage Law of 1950 The very first law promulgated by the People’s Republic of China ( ) abolished arranged marriage abolished polygamy right to divorce –214,000 cases of divorce in 1986 –1,665,000 cases of divorce in 2004

Maoist era (1949 – 1976) penetration of state into society –sweeping mass campaigns

Maoist era (1949 – 1976) transformation of “feudal” social customs –establish new loyalty to Mao and to CCP

“Socialist New Man” communist ideals socialist moral culture and education discipline

“Socialist New Man” “serve the people” –Lei Feng (1940 – 1962)

“Socialist New Customs”

“Women hold up half the sky”

post-Mao era (1977 – present) gradual retreat of the state from society and family –except in implementing family planning policy change in values –materialism and individualism –Western influence –revival of traditions

population pressure

family planning policy “Family planning promotes economic development!”

family planning policy “It’s good to have only one child!”

family planning policy “It’s a basic state policy!”

family planning policy “Girls are as good as boys!”

materialism

A 1999 survey of rural youth 3 factors in choosing a spouse: congenial to each other (49.8%) smart and capable (49.2%) education level (37.9%) gentle and considerate (32.9%) honest and reliable (28.6%) health (28%)

A survey in Nanjing in 2006 When choosing a spouse do you consider whether s/he has housing? (83% “yes”) Who should provide the housing? –both 55%; husband 44%; wife 1% 18% would marry even without housing What role do your parents play? –parents will decide 4%

“Where did Lei Feng go?” “serve the people?” results from surveys on university campuses

Western influence

a survey of urban youth in 1998 Which region’s music do you like most? Hong Kong63.5% mainland China60.8% U.S.A.36.9% Taiwan29.0% Japan19.5% India12.8%

a survey of urban youth in 1998 Which region’s movies and TV programs do you like most? Hong Kong71.7% U.S.A.62.4% mainland China41.0% Taiwan19.9% Japan19.7%

rise of the individual pre-Mao era –loyalty to family, father, and ancestors Maoist era –new loyalty to socialist collectives –new loyalty to the Party and Mao post-Mao era –state loosens control of private life