A Sociological Analysis of Bride Price in Chinese Marriage: Focusing on the Evolution of Women's Property Rights

The guarantee of female rights and interests requires more complicated strategies than ever in the context of weakening property rights in marriage. With the change in Chinese marriage law, the devaluation of domestic labor and the imbalance of interest at the time of divorce have made women re-evaluate their marriage behavior. The purpose of this study is to examine the marriage culture in China. In particular, this essay focuses on the mode of female behavior regarding the ‘bride price:’ which functions as ‘dowry’ in a traditional marriage. What are the conditions under which some Chinese women request a high bride price? Or what factors make Chinese women prefer to choose marriage without a bride price?

This study delves into the evolving role of bride price in Chinese marriage culture, positioning it as a complex social phenomenon intertwined with shifting gender dynamics. Through an analysis of historical records, legal codes, and internet ethnography, the research examines changing perceptions of bride price and its impact on marital negotiations. The findings reveal that bride price has increasingly become a tool for women to evaluate the sincerity and financial capacity of potential spouses, reflecting broader socio-economic transformations and shifts in property rights. Furthermore, the study highlights how bride price negotiations contribute to growing gender distrust, exacerbated by evolving economic roles and legal structures. While serving as a protective measure for women in patriarchal contexts, bride price also reinforces existing gender inequalities, making it a point of both cultural significance and societal debate.