The demand for a ʼnormal’ life: Marriage and its discontents in contemporary China

Lucetta Yip Lo Kam*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapter in book/report/conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

    16 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Heterosexual marriage is endorsed by the state and remains socially the most celebrated form of intimate and sexual union. Marriage maintains a secure grip on individuals and dominates the definition of ‘normal’ life. This chapter discusses the cultural meanings of heterosexual monogamous marriage in contemporary urban China and the emerging discontent that poses challenges to it. It serves as a brief overview of issues and debates related to the institution of marriage, with a focus on the period after the year 2000. The chapter also discusses issues surrounding marriage such as the widely discussed topic of ‘leftover women’ or shengnu, that is, women at or above marital age who remain unmarried. It discusses the various challenges made by the increasingly visible communities of lesbians and gays to the dominant institution of heteronormative marriage.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationRoutledge Handbook of Sexuality Studies in East Asia
    EditorsMark McLelland, Vera Mackie
    Place of PublicationLondon; New York
    PublisherRoutledge
    Chapter5
    Pages77-86
    Number of pages10
    Edition1st
    ISBN (Electronic)9781317685746, 9781315774879
    ISBN (Print)9780415639484, 9780367867447
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2 Sept 2014

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