Interwoven lives: parents, marriage, and Guanxi in China

This article examines changes in the role of parents in marriage decisions in China using two data sets, the In-depth Fertility Survey, Phase II, and data collected by the author in 1986-1987. The number of arranged marriages, in which parents have absolute control, has decreased But in most marriages, parents continue to have an influence on the decisions made. Parental involvement in all aspects of young people's lives is welcomed by both parents and children. Guanxi provides an explanation for continuing strong kinties. In China people rely heavily on the use of interpersonal ties (guanxi) to acquire scarce goods and services. Children often rely on parents' guanxi for help in achieving school or career goals. Marriage decisions are thus made in a context that supports continuing influence of parents in the lives of adult children