While attitudes toward love and marriage have become freer since the early 20th century, matchmaking has continued to exist to this day. Matchmaking is, of course, not exclusive to China: It has existed in different forms all across the globe.

Are arranged marriages common in China?

Arranged marriages Total control in the marriage decisions of children by parents is rare in China today, but parental involvement in decision making now takes on a different form. Additionally, women are generally expected to marry men who are economically better off than themselves in a practice called hypergamy.

How does matchmaking in China work?

In a typical arranged marriage in China, a family with a son or daughter of suitable age would engage a matchmaker, who would cast his or her net for potential candidates and conduct the necessary background checks on their reputation and character, as well as the social status and financial position of their families.

What age can you marry in China?

The minimum age for marriage is raised to 22 for the man and 20 for the woman, although in practice even later marriage is encouraged. Late marriage and late childbirth are emphasized as part of Chinas attempt to limit its population growth. The new law also makes divorce easier to obtain.

How does matchmaking work in China?

In a typical arranged marriage in China, a family with a son or daughter of suitable age would engage a matchmaker, who would cast his or her net for potential candidates and conduct the necessary background checks on their reputation and character, as well as the social status and financial position of their families.

Is live in relationship legal in China?

In 2001, the Chinese government removed a definition from the countrys marriage law that made it illegal for a man and a woman to live together outside of marriage. Today, the practice is only against the law when one or both cohabitants are already married to another person.

Is divorce allowed in China?

Like many other countries, Chinas divorce rate has steadily increased in recent years. The new law is meant to urge couples to reconsider hasty divorces, but the legislation has instead only generated frustration among women who fear that seeking a divorce has now become more difficult.