Marriage Market Choices of Farmers: An Empirical Study of Zhao Village in Northwest China

Author: Sun Shumin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: This book adopts a better and unique perspective by selecting courtship as a specific research subject. Based on extensive empirical research data, it delves into the courtship practices and processes of the villagers in Zhao Village, filling the gap in domestic research on the preparatory period for marriage and undoubtedly advancing the study of marriage in China. The conclusions of this book are highly innovative, and the narration and analysis of some cases are also quite compelling. -- Zhou Xiaohong
This book employs field research methods to provide a detailed description and relatively in-depth explanation of the courtship processes of villagers in a village in northwest China. It conducts exploratory research on the preparatory period for marriage and focuses on discussing "child betrothals," "bought marriages," and "exchange marriages." The author argues that these courtship forms are adaptations and adjustments made by the villagers of Zhao Village to their living environment, offering new insights. -- Wang Mingming
Forms of courtship such as "child betrothals," "bought marriages," and "exchange marriages" are widely condemned in both Chinese academia and official discourse as "arranged and sold marriages," thereby being labeled as "poor, backward, and ignorant." Undoubtedly, this view stems from an "other" who observes from their own position and perspective at a "distance." However, if we get closer to the actors under "child betrothals" or even live among them, what would we discover? This book, using field research methods, focuses on discussing "child betrothals," "bought marriages," "exchange marriages," and high bridewealth, pointing out that under certain survival economies, these practices are not merely manifestations of ignorance and backwardness. Instead, they are rational ways for the locals to adapt to reality under the constraints of their living conditions, serving as their survival strategies. Their existence has its own inherent rationality.