Chinese Family Strengths and Resiliency

Authors

Anqi Xu, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, People’s Republic of China
Xiaolin Xie, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IllinoisFollow
Wenli Liu, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
Yan Ruth Xia, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Dalin Liu, Chinese Ancient Sex Culture Museum, Tongli and Shanghai, People’s Republic of China

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

8-1-2007

Comments

Co-published simultaneously in Marriage&Family Review (TheHaworth Press, Inc.)Vol. 41,No. 1/2, 2007, pp. 143-164; and: Strong Families Around the World: Strengths-Based Research and Perspectives (ed: John DeFrain, and Sylvia M. Asay) The Haworth Press, Inc., 2007, pp. 143-164. Available online at http://mfr.haworthpress.com Copyright © 2007 by The Haworth Press, Inc. Used by permission.

Abstract

Chinese family and marriage strengths and challenges are delineated in this article, including equity in marriage, affection, the ability to adapt to changes, mutual trust, compatibility, harmony, and family support. Despite the fact that Chinese households are getting smaller as a result of governmental policy and the broadening of housing markets, families remain crucial support networks, especially in the areas of socialization and intergenerational relationships. Current research on Chinese marriages and families is cited, outlining attitudinal changes regarding mate selection, divorce, and childbirth between genders, between older and younger generations, and between urban and rural residents.