Couple Relationships in China

Abstract

Influenced by traditional culture, socioeconomic development, and globalization, Chinese couple relationships are rapidly evolving, although some unique features remain stable. While the forms of couples in China are becoming increasingly diversified, intracultural heterosexual married couples remain the majority and “modern” couple forms such as cohabitation, intercultural marriage, and same-sex partnerships are less prevalent. Through the theoretical perspectives of human ecology and family life course development, a critical analysis of literature reveals that individual, family, and societal contexts, together with Chinese culture, interact to different degrees to influence Chinese couple relationships. Driven simultaneously by individual preference, family interests and social norms, mate selection has shifted to some extent from family arrangement and practicality, to mutual attractiveness and romance, whereas the core values of marriage have remained the same. The rigid gender roles of traditional Chinese culture still tend to decrease Chinese couples’ relationship satisfaction. In contrast, shared power and decision-making, constructive communication, as well as quality relationships with children and extended family strengthen couples’ relationship and satisfaction. Women generally report lower marital satisfaction when they have to do double shifts, taking on both paid work and work at home. Moreover, educated, unmarried women face social biases, being perceived negatively as “leftover women.” Increased gender inequality in the job market is associated with the lowered status of women, and is particularly risky for rural women, or those who mainly work in the home, as it impacts on the quality of relationships and is linked to intimate partner violence.