Marriage and Family

1.1 Definition of Family

A family is a group connected by blood, marriage, or other socially agreed-upon relationships, bearing the responsibility of procreation and caring for its members. (Source: Schaefer, 2012)

Public families: Societal expectations of family.
Private families: Individual expectations of family. (Source: Ding Guohui & Zhang Huanhua, 2016)

2.1 Traditional and Modern Changes

Discuss how marriage and family as social institutions change over time.
Modernization Theory:
- Driven by industrialization, urbanization, and the popularization of education, society shifts from collectivism to individualism, gradually promoting freedom and equality in marriage. Parental influence on marriage declines, and marriage transitions from traditional male-female gender roles to more egalitarian spousal emotional relationships.
- Family structures shift to nuclear families as the mainstream, and globalization leads to homogenization across different countries and societies.

3.1 Familism and Patriarchy

Familism:
- A collectivist value system emphasizing the survival and interests of the collective over the interests of individual members.
- Individuals within the collective must obey the collective will.
Patriarchy:
- The father as the head of the family, responsible for maximizing family interests and guiding the values and behavioral norms of family members.

Traditional functions:
- Emphasized the importance of bearing and raising children and providing comprehensive care for members, with relatively less emotional support among family members.
Modern functions:
- With social functions like education and work increasingly outsourced, emotional support gradually becomes the core function of the family, emphasizing the importance of emotional connection and support among family members.

4.1 Ways the State Transforms Society

Socialist states intervene in marriage affairs through marriage law reforms to promote gender equality.
Establish the 'unit system' (danwei) to replace the family and control population policies to influence family structure and functions.

5.1 Individual Choice and Collective Decision

Contemporary marriage and family systems face a contradiction between state intervention and individual choice.

5.2 Institutional Changes

In 1950, the first Marriage Law of New China was promulgated, implementing monogamy and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of women and children.
The 1980 revision of the Marriage Law added irreconcilable differences as a legitimate ground for divorce.
The 2001 revision further strengthened property protection, allowed prenuptial agreements, and confirmed the division rights of marital common property during divorce.

6.1 "Sheng Nan" and "Sheng Nu" Phenomena

"Sheng Nan" (leftover men) and "Sheng Nu" (leftover women) have become social concerns, especially in cities, with education levels and social status differences being major reasons for male-female mismatch.

6.2 Modern Dating and Mating Views

Modern Chinese people's views on dating and marriage are increasingly diverse, influenced by both traditional values and Western concepts.

7.1 Frequency of Interaction Among Family Members

Based on statistics, describing the frequency of interaction among different family members (e.g., parents, siblings, grandparents) and its importance to the family structure.

7.2 Age Groups and Marital Status Distribution

Through data analysis, presenting the distribution of unmarried populations in various age groups, with a particular focus on the living arrangements of the elderly.

7.3 Changes in Marriage Numbers

Recent changes in marriage and divorce rates reflect shifts in societal attitudes towards marriage.

China's marriage and family system is gradually changing but has not fully developed towards Western societies, and the influence of traditional Confucian thought persists.