The role of different modes of rural marriage in the process of fertility decline in China
Yan, M.; Shi, R.
Chinese Journal of Population Science 9(1): 55-65
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 1044-8403 PMID: 12320984 Document Number: 200332
This study examines the relationship between jiaqu-style marriage (wife's residence at the husband's house) and zhaozhui-style marriage (husband's residence at the wife's house) and fertility patterns in two rural counties in Hubei province in China. The village of Yongxingchang relied on husbands moving into their wives' houses. The village of Shenlu would only allow jiaqu-style marriages. The two villages were 100 km apart. Yongxingchang had 588 women of childbearing age; Shenlu had 625. Women's fertility in Yongxingchang experienced a steady and rapid decline. 226 couples, or 39.40% of village households, had only one child, and 98 couples had only one daughter. At least 15 couples out of a possible 30 turned back the quota. This village had many young women who desired only one child in a lifetime. Fertility in Shenlu was high. Every household had two children. None of the women desired no child, and only a few desired only one child. 14.28% desired three or more children. 86.4% of women with multiple children had two or more daughters. 34% with two daughters continued childbearing for a third birth. In Yongxingchang, 26.2% of women with two daughters desired a third daughter and 22.7% desired a child of any gender. Women in Shenlu placed a high value on sons for family name continuation and elderly support (78.57%). Shenlu villagers thought daughters had some emotional value or no value at all. 79 women in Yongxingchang desired sons or daughters for carrying on the family name and elderly support. Clans were very powerful in Shenlu. Yongxingchang had a larger diversity of family names. Findings indicate that marriage mode affects fertility. Leaders should actively organize zhaozhui-style marriages.