Dynamics of marriage change in Chinese rural society in transition: A study of a northern Chinese village

Abstract

This analysis uses data from an intensive village study to investigate the impacts of institutional reforms on marriage in rural China. The study finds that age at marriage has been declining significantly both for men and women. The 'exchange marriage' and the 'mercenary marriage' have re-emerged. An increasing proportion of marriages occur between men and women in nearby villages, though there is no significant increase in village endogamy. Both bride price and dowry have increased significantly, and the ratio of value of dowry to bride price has undergone a dramatic equalization. The young, including young women, have much more decision making power regarding their marriages. Changes in marriage are the consequences of both change in the socio-economic environment brought about by deliberate rural reforms, and strategic or tactical responses of rural Chinese to the rapidly changing context in which they live and work.