Gender and Ethnic Variation in Arranged Marriages in a Chinese City

Using a data set (N = 1,600) collected in the city of Urumchi in 2005, this article examines ethnic differences in arranged marriages in urban China. Data analysis shows a rapid decline in parental arrangement for both Uyghur Muslims and Han Chinese in Urumchi. Han Chinese are less likely than Uyghu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of family issues 2008-05, Vol.29 (5), p.615-638
Main Author: Zang, Xiaowei
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arranged marriage
Asians
Autonomy
China
Cultural Background
Cultural Differences
Data Analysis
Ethnic Groups
Ethnicity
Females
Foreign Countries
Gender
Gender Differences
Islam
Marriage
Mate selection
Men
Muslims
Parents & parenting
Peoples Republic of China
Personal Autonomy
Racial differences
Sex
Sex differences
Status attainment
Urban Areas
Uyghur people
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Summary:Using a data set (N = 1,600) collected in the city of Urumchi in 2005, this article examines ethnic differences in arranged marriages in urban China. Data analysis shows a rapid decline in parental arrangement for both Uyghur Muslims and Han Chinese in Urumchi. Han Chinese are less likely than Uyghur Muslims to report arranged marriages, with main background characteristics being controlled. However, the differences between Uyghur men and Han men fade away when background characteristics are controlled, whereas no similar patterns are found among women. These findings indicate that Uyghur women have a lower degree of autonomy in the marriage market than their Muslim brothers do. These findings suggest a new interpretation of the effect of ethnic culture and status attainment on intergroup differences in marriage. They also call for a partial revision of a convergence model and an ethnic culture model for research on marriage in developing societies.
ISSN:0192-513X
1552-5481
DOI:10.1177/0192513X07308039