The Formation Mechanism of Low Bride Price Among New Generation Youths in Rural China and Its Realistic Challenges
The high bride price has been a prominent social issue that China has been focusing on in re-cent years.This study,based on field studies on the"zero bride price"phenomenon in Shi Village,Chongqing,analyzes the formation mechanism of the local low bride price and the realistic challenges it currently faces.The consensus in Shi Village that"bride price does not count"has promoted the flexible and diverse development of marriage exchanges.Compared to the more ceremonial wedding expenses,change-of-appellation fees,and purchase-of-a-new-house expenses,the bride price is excluded from meaningful marriage exchanges due to its over-monetization and utilitarianism.Local customs and tradi-tions have been shaped by both the historical practices of the Ming and Qing dynasties and contemporary socialist practices.The repayment and sponsorship functions of marriage exchanges have been dissolved by free love,intergenerational and gender equality under the weak local intergenerational responsibility.The gift mode of marriage exchange shapes collective morality in ceremonies and daily life.Even new gen-eration youths across marriage circles have not formed a high bride price.However,with the increase in social mobility and risk,the maintenance of local low bride price practices is facing challenges from cross-regional cultural conflicts and the intensification of bride price mortgage functions.
Low bride priceChongqingRural areasNew generation youthGift order
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
