Mate selection in China: Trends and determinants

In: Family relations, Band 72, Heft 3, S. 755-773

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveUsing pooled data from the 2010, 2012, and 2014 China Family Panel Studies, this paper elucidates the internal heterogeneity among non‐arranged marriages by examining changing patterns and determinants of mate selection in China from 1950 to 2014.BackgroundPrevious research has documented a decline in arranged marriages and a rise in self‐initiated marriages in the Asian context.MethodsThis study uses two measures to capture the nuanced nature of mate selection, namely, arranged versus non‐arranged marriages among all couples, and introduced versus self‐initiated marriages among non‐arranged couples.ResultsWhile arranged marriages declined rapidly and were replaced mostly by introduced marriages before 1980, after 1980, self‐initiated marriages began to increase. Urbanization and better education led to more non‐arranged marriages, particularly through self‐initiated means. The influence of county‐level per capita GDP on mate selection is quadratic.ConclusionThe two‐stage transitions in mate selection reflect the importance of accounting for both structural and ideational factors in explaining these changes.ImplicationsWe challenge the assumed unilinear change from arranged marriages to self‐initiated marriages along the processes of economic development. The intensified economic pressures may have driven some young adults back to introduced, even arranged, marriages.