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The Influence of Living in Two Places on Conjugal Relations: “Instrumental” Characteristic of Norm of Love in China
Author(s) -
Yu Jianming
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international journal of japanese sociology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.133
H-Index - 15
eISSN - 1475-6781
pISSN - 0918-7545
DOI - 10.1111/ijjs.12061
Subject(s) - wife , residence , china , norm (philosophy) , dual (grammatical number) , mainstream , gender studies , sociology , demographic economics , social psychology , psychology , economics , political science , demography , law , art , literature
This research focuses on dual residences (living in two places) on C hinese married couples, a phenomenon with a unique C hinese social background, based on the analysis of 15 cases sampled in the form of interviews, exploring the influence of having dual residences on husband‐wife relations and then further exploring its influence of the norm of love and how it works in C hina. There are three main conclusions. First, compulsory dual residence is closely connected to the rigorous systems of household registration and job allocation during the planned economy period. Voluntary dual residence is related to utilitarian values, including the pursuit of social status and income, against the background of the market economy. Second, at a time when to be working was the first and foremost goal for both men and women, compulsory dual residence was influenced by mainstream social norms that gave priority to work over relationships. Such recognition weakens the influence of dual residences on husband‐wife relations. The influence of voluntarily having dual residences on husband‐wife relations is mainly connected with how this situation comes to an end. Third, in C hina, the norm of love in coexistence with multiple values has not been shown to have a decisive influence no matter how the spouses were selected selection or how husband‐wife relations are maintained.