Continuity and Change in Chinese Marriage and the Family

Abstract:Based on the first and second waves of the Chinese Family Panel Studies (CFPS) in 2010 and 2012, this article describes five aspects of Chinese marriage and the family and discusses their continuity and change against the background of rapid social changes. We find that the rapid pace of modernization and demographic transition is creating a “transitional” family, in which new trends coexist with powerful old patterns. In addition, due to the huge developmental gaps among different areas and the expansion of social differentiation, we also find significant regional variations and class differences in terms of marriage and family behaviors. In addition, we discuss the role of government in shaping the Chinese family and the core function of families in providing social support in contemporary China.