Marriage and Inequality in Chinese Society

Marriage and Inequality in Chinese Society examines marriage practices and their relationship to social hierarchy across different periods of Chinese history. This scholarly work brings together research from multiple contributors to analyze how marriage patterns both reflected and reinforced inequalities between social classes, genders, and regions. The book covers various dynasties from the Song through the Qing, exploring topics like dowries, concubinage, widow chastity, and matchmaking customs. Contributors draw on historical records, legal documents, and family genealogies to reconstruct marriage practices among different social strata, from elite families to commoners. The studies reveal strong links between marriage strategies and the maintenance of social boundaries in traditional Chinese society. The collection demonstrates how marriage served as a key mechanism for preserving privilege, transmitting wealth, and defining status differences between groups. The compilation makes a significant contribution to understanding how fundamental social institutions like marriage can shape - and be shaped by - broader patterns of inequality and social organization. Through its focus on marriage, the work illuminates larger questions about power, gender relations, and social mobility in Chinese history.

Readers note this academic volume provides historical perspectives on marriage practices across different social classes in Chinese society. Most reviews come from scholars and students researching this topic. Positives: - Comprehensive coverage of marriage customs from Song dynasty through Qing period - Strong use of primary sources and case studies - Clear organization of chapters by different scholars Negatives: - Academic writing style can be dense and technical - Some chapters more thoroughly researched than others - Limited coverage of modern/contemporary marriage practices Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: Not enough reviews for rating Google Books: No ratings available Notable reader comments: "Useful primary source material but requires background knowledge in Chinese history" - Goodreads reviewer "The sections on dowry practices and property rights were particularly illuminating" - Academic citation "Would benefit from more discussion of regional variations" - Journal review

Women and Property in China by Kathryn Bernhardt This study examines women's property rights across different Chinese dynasties and their relationship to marriage, family structure, and social status.

Gender in Chinese History by Bret Hinsch The book traces the evolution of gender roles, marriage customs, and family relationships from ancient to modern China through historical documents and social records.

Family and Gender in Chinese History by Susan Mann The work analyzes primary sources to reveal patterns of marriage, kinship, and gender dynamics in late imperial China.

The Inner Quarters by Patricia Buckley Ebrey This examination of marriage politics explores the connection between family strategies and social status among Song dynasty elite families.

Marriage, Law and Gender in Revolutionary China by Xiaoping Cong The text documents how marriage reform policies transformed family structures and gender relations during China's transition to socialism.

🔹 Patricia Buckley Ebrey pioneered the study of women's history in China and has authored over a dozen books on Chinese culture and society, establishing herself as one of the leading Western scholars in the field. 🔹 The book explores how marriage practices in China varied dramatically across social classes, with elite families often using marriage alliances to maintain or increase their wealth and status while poor families sometimes sold daughters as concubines or servants. 🔹 During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), which is covered in the book, women had relatively more freedom in marriage and divorce compared to later periods, and some even remarried without social stigma. 🔹 The practice of "uxorilocal marriage" discussed in the book allowed men to marry into their wives' families and take their surnames - a practice that challenged traditional patrilineal customs but provided options for families without sons. 🔹 The book demonstrates how Chinese marriage customs influenced other East Asian societies, particularly Vietnam, Korea, and Japan, which adopted similar practices of arranged marriages and the importance of family alliances.