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Marriage and Family in China. Marriage Law of 1950. The very first law promulgated by the People’s Republic of China (1949 - ) 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).
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Marriage Law of 1950 • The very first law promulgated by the People’s Republic of China (1949 - ) • 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)
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
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!”
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
a survey of urban youth in 1998 • Which region’s music do you like most? • Hong Kong 63.5% • mainland China 60.8% • U.S.A. 36.9% • Taiwan 29.0% • Japan 19.5% • India 12.8%
a survey of urban youth in 1998 • Which region’s movies and TV programs do you like most? • Hong Kong 71.7% • U.S.A. 62.4% • mainland China 41.0% • Taiwan 19.9% • Japan 19.7%
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