Marriage and Family in East Asia

Marriage and Family in East Asia: Continuity and Change

  • Authors:

    • James M. Raymo (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

    • Hyunjoon Park (University of Pennsylvania)

    • Yu Xie (University of Michigan)

    • Wei-jun Jean Yeung (National University of Singapore)

  • Published in 2015, Annual Review of Sociology.

Abstract

  • Trends in East Asia indicate delayed marriage and reduced childbearing, more pronounced than in the West.

  • Despite these trends, many family features in East Asia remain unchanged.

  • The article explores trends in family behaviors across China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

  • It discusses the tension between rapid social-economic changes and family expectations impacting marriage and fertility.

  • Highlights socioeconomic difference growth in family formation patterns and contrasts with Western demographic transitions.

Introduction

Family Structure in East Asia

  • East Asian families differ from European/North American families, with distinct features:

    • Extended family co-residence

    • Strong family ties

    • Defined gender division in family roles, placing women at a disadvantage (patriarchal structure).

  • Influence of Confucian culture in family organization:

    • Importance of lineage and ancestor worship.

    • Values of filial piety, especially in Chinese culture.

  • Variations exist within and between countries (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan) but share Confucian characteristics.

Article Objectives

  • Examine recent trends in marriage and fertility in the aforementioned countries.

  • Analyze tension between rapid family behavior changes and the stability of family structures.

  • Situate findings within the broader context of western demographic transitions and socio-economic disparities.

Theoretical Framework

Key Theories

  • McDonald's gender equity theory:

    • Tension between increasing women’s opportunities and traditional family expectations.

  • Bumpass and Rindfuss' view:

    • Marriage as a complex package of expectations that may deter highly educated youth.

  • Developmental idealism:

    • Influence of Western ideals on family structures in East Asia (modern family values vs traditional).

  • Combination of economic changes, women’s educational advancements, and costs of raising children drive family structure changes.

Trends in Marriage and Fertility

Later Marriage

  • Age at first marriage has increased significantly:

    • Men: Over 30 in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan by 2010.

    • Women: Over 28 in those countries.

    • China: Rise from 23 in 1980 to 24 in 2010.

Lower Fertility

  • All four countries have experienced substantial declines in fertility rates.

  • Long-term low fertility observed in Japan since 1957; other countries followed at different times.

  • China’s fertility transition was primarily driven by early policies and resulted in rates below replacement since 1990.

Nonmarriage and Childlessness

  • Increasing proportions of individuals remaining unmarried and childless:

    • Japan saw a rise from 2.6% to 20.2% for men and from 4.5% to 10.7% for women (1980-2010).

    • Evidence shows higher education correlates with delayed marriages but an increasing likelihood of marrying.

Nonmarital Childbearing

  • Very low levels in East Asia (Japan 2%, Korea 1.5%, Taiwan 4%).

  • Socio-economic and legal context discourage nonmarital births.

Cohabitation Trends

  • Cohabitation is becoming more common, with significant increases among younger generations.

  • Premarital cohabitation seen as a stepping stone towards marriage.

Divorce Trends

  • Historical low divorce rates have risen:

    • Current rates: China (1.8), Japan (1.9), Korea (2.3), Taiwan (2.4).

    • Educational gradient observed, with higher divorce rates among lower socio-economic groups.

Living Arrangements

  • Continued co-residence with parents is common among young adults.

  • Economic factors and cultural norms contribute to delays in independence.

  • Increase in single-person households documented across the region.

Explanations for Trends in Marriage and Fertility

Ideational Change

  • Limited change in attitudes toward marriage and family compared to Western frameworks.

  • Most young people value marriage and want children despite trends.

Economic Factors

  • Economic independence for women increases opportunity costs of marriage and parenthood.

  • Actual costs of raising children (education, housing) deter marriage.

Marriage Markets

  • Shift in marriage patterns disrupts traditional family matching systems.

  • Preferences for educational and status homogamy lead to mismatches in marriage prospects.

Conclusion

  • Declining marriage and fertility rates in East Asia diverge from trends observed in the West.

  • Understanding these changes requires focus on the complex interaction between rapid societal changes and lingering traditional family expectations.

  • The findings suggest significant implications for policy aimed at promoting family formation.