Coming of Age in Times of Change

Abstract

This article aims to (1) describe trends for Chinese young adults’ pathways into adulthood for birth cohorts that have experienced distinct historical events over the past half century and (2) examine factors that shape young adults’ transitioning behavior. We draw data from the 2005 to 2008 Chinese General Social Survey. In contrast to the increasingly protracted trend seen in many Western societies, the more recent Chinese cohorts transitioned to marriage and parenthood sooner than those who grew up during the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. The economic and education reforms since the late 1970s have greatly increased urban-rural disparity in youths’ life trajectories despite their generally positive impact on young adults’ educational attainment and economic well-being. While near-universal marriage and childbearing within marriage prevail and son preference remains strong in modern China, evidence suggests that today’s young Chinese are exploring new pathways to adulthood, including cohabitation and premarital sex.

Entry into first marriage in China

“…This growth is accompanied by the expansion of education, which enhances women's employment opportunities and economic independence (Burnett 2010). Furthermore, China is becoming more open to Western culture, ideas, values, and lifestyles (Yeung and Hu 2013;Yu and Xie 2015b). These changes, and the more permissive attitudes toward cohabitation they inspire, may contribute to the spread of cohabitation and premarital sexual behavior (Yu and Xie 2015b).…”

“…Earlier studies reflected on the universality of marriage (e.g., Frejka, Jones, and Sardon 2010;Zeng, Vaupel, and Yashin 1985), whereas more recent studies report a delay and decline in marriage rates (e.g., Mu and Xie 2014;Yeung and Hu 2013;Yu and Xie 2015a).…”

Transition to adulthood in China in 1982−2005: A structural view

“…Some research suggests that aspects of these changes mimic those of the West (Lesthaeghe 2010;Lloyd 2005). Others suggest that the changes are path-dependent (Furstenberg 2013;Fussell 2005;Grant and Furstenberg 2007;Yeung and Alipio 2013;Yeung and Hu 2013). Furthermore, the research in non-Western countries uses diverse indicators to measure the transition to adulthood that hinder comparisons with each other and to Western countries.…”

Still under the ancestors' shadow? Ancestor worship and family formation in contemporary China

“…This operation did not substantively alter the results of our analyses as premarital pregnancies and births are rare in China (Tian 2016;Yeung and Hu 2013). This can be affirmed empirically by the fact that the percentage of respondents whose marriage age is higher than the childbearing age in the CFPS 2010 is only around 2%.…”