| In the transition of China from a traditional society to a modern society, the idea, form, and property law structure of marriage and family have undergone tremendous changes and the Chinese people's ideas and life relating to marriage and family have become increasingly diversified. The marriage no longer has the inherent significance as that in ancient times, but is still regarded as the mainstream mode of union of man and woman. The single patriarchal significance of marriage has been transformed into the coexistence of the significance of carrying on the family line, the significance of pure procreation and even non-procreation significance. Today, although marriage still has the function of forming an alliance, its emphasis is fundamentally different from that in the past:the two in-law families must both serve the newly established small family. Yet, the meaning of life pursued by the Chinese people in marriage and family has not changed. Whether in rural or urban areas, the relation between the husband and the wife is the axis of a family. The traditional system of cohabitation and owning property jointly is replaced by the matrimonial property system. The property relationship between the husband and the wife, the relationship between a couple and their expanded family, and between a couple and their parental families are all faced with challenges, while the tradition of communion, assistance and filial duty and the new concept of equality between man and woman are the common value respected by the Chinese people. |
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