Culture,Emotion,and Reciprocity:The Logic behind the Convergence of Marriage Investment in Rural Areas—An Examination of the"Departure Banquet"in R Village,Central Henan
In recent years,the practice of hosting"departure banquets"for daughters'marriages has become popular in rural areas of central Henan,with the expenditure on daughters'marriages approaching that of sons'weddings,indicating a trend towards the convergence of marriage investment.The convergence of marriage investment,symbolized by the rise of"departure banquets"for daughters,is a result of multiple factors,including the widespread acceptance of gender equality in rural culture,the emotional dependence and appreciation of daughters in the context of a decreasing number of children and the emergence of daughters providing for their parents'old age,rational considerations of reciprocal exchanges between parents and daughters.Essentially,it reflects the reconfiguration of daughters'identities by families and society in response to new social circumstances.The convergence of marriage investment,represented by"departure banquets",signifies a profound transformation in the gender culture of rural areas and a structural shift in family relationships.The traditional patterns of family gender roles and ethical systems in rural areas are gradually being reconstructed during this process.The convergence of marriage investment should be viewed dialectically,acknowledging its positive significance while also guarding against blind competition and extravagant practices that may foster negative social trends.
departure banquetconvergence of marriage investmentreconfiguration of daughters'identitystructural shift in family relationships
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