Family succession through adoption in the Chosun Dynasty

Abstract

Using a unique data source of genealogies of upper-status families, called Bulcheonwye families, we assess how the extent of family succession through adoption changed over five centuries from 1450 to 1949 in Korea. Our analysis shows the continued increase in the share of adopted sons among total family successors up to the end of the 19th century when three out of ten family successors were adopted. The trend of the increasing role of adoption is closely related to the declining number of sons per family, suggesting that not only the rising influence of Confucian culture but also demographic changes increased the demand for adoption. Finally, our comparison provides evidence that the likelihood of achieving high social status was significantly higher among adopted sons than biological ones, suggesting that the socioeconomic potential of adopted sons could be an important factor for adoption decision.

Causes of child adoption in Taiwan, 1906-1945

“…Moreover, this demonstrates that adoption functioned as a safety valve and was in that way an integral part of the Chinese demographic system in the past, which varied according to the levels of mortality and fertility (Lee and Feng 1999). In a recent study on Korea, similar conclusions were drawn (Kim and Park 2010).…”

“…Adopting a boy could directly provide a male heir, or alternatively a daughter could bring in a husband with the possibility of new grandsons being born. Many have therefore argued that adoption was in itself an integral part of the East Asian demographic system in the past (Feng and Lee 1998;Kim and Park 2010;Kurosu 2010;Kurosu and Ochiai 1995;Wolf and Huang 1980). Although most of the work focusing on adoption has studied the receiving endhouseholds adopting children into the familyit is clear that having too many children in a household also causes problems.…”

Marriage and Family in East Asia: Continuity and Change

“…Another distinctive feature of the traditional East Asian family is the paramount importance of family lineage (Chen and Li 2014; Chu and Yu 2010; Kim and Park 2010). In this tradition, individuals are no more than temporary carriers who perpetuate familial male lines, with ancestors assuming spiritual roles.…”

Sowing

“…Studies of family succession have considered duration of residence, adoption, and re-marriage. The specific characteristics of Korean adoption differ from practices in China and Japan (Kim & Park, 2010). Upper-status genealogies [Bulcheonwye jokbo, 不遷位族譜] suggest that the close relationship between adoption and birth rates is only partly explained by cultural factors such as status maintenance.…”