Contemporary Blind Date Corner: Parents' Expectations and Changes in the Concept of Marriage.
In a noisy corner of the city, the time is fixed in Shanghai People's Park on June 25, 2023, and a unique blind date corner carries the expectations and contradictions of countless families. This place is not only a microcosm of the marriage market, but also a hot spot for the collision of social concepts. Here, parents go on blind dates for their children, and their expectations and perceptions reveal the complex changes in contemporary marriage patterns.
A Parental View of Marriage.
In China's family structure, the relationship between husband and wife does not exist in isolation, but is embedded in intergenerational affection. Professor Ji Yingchun of the School of Sociology of Shanghai University pointed out that to understand the changes in the marriage pattern of young people, it is necessary to start from the perspective of parents, because it involves the continuation and transformation of intergenerational relationships in the family. From this point of view, young people's concept of marriage needs to be examined from different perspectives in order to get a more complete understanding.
Blind Date Corner: A Microcosm of Society and the Challenge of Marriage Standards.
The blind date corner in Shanghai People's Park has become an important field for studying the marriage market. It brings together the contradictions, norms, and individual expectations and trade-offs of society, and is vividly called the "marriage market". In this market, parents have a variety of standards for their children's marriage, involving appearance, education, income, housing, etc. It is worth noting, however, that these standards are not rigid and unchanging, but are influenced by the times and personal perceptions, presenting diversity and challenging.
The expectations and differences between parents of men and women.
In the eyes of parents, both parents have different priorities and expectations for the marriage of their children. The woman's parents pay more attention to emotion, happiness and companionship, while the man's parents pay more attention to the inheritance of the family and the fulfillment of family responsibilities. This difference reflects the collision of traditional and modern concepts, as well as the evolution and transformation of gender roles in marriage.
Marriage, Career and Income: Trade-offs and Choices.
Traditionally, matrimonial homes have been provided by the man's family, but in modern times, more and more women are choosing to buy a house independently or jointly with the man. In the interview with the blind date corner, the man's parents have certain requirements for the woman's occupation and income, but at the same time emphasize that women should not exceed the economic status of men. This trade-off reflects the diversity and change of family values.
Fertility anxiety and the change of marital attitudes.
With the development of the times, parents' concept of marriage and childbearing for their children has also changed. What was once a fertility anxiety was gradually replaced by a more tolerant and open attitude. In modern society, not marrying or marrying later has become an option, and parents are more willing to respect their children's choices and happiness. This transformation not only reflects the rise of individual rights, but also reflects the renewal and upgrading of the concept of family.
Differences in sexual attitudes and the pursuit of gender equality.
The change in the concept of marriage is not only limited to marriage and childbearing, but also involves the renewal of sexual concepts. In terms of sexual norms, there are obvious gender double standards, and women face more social pressures and norms. However, with the continuous advancement of the concept of gender equality, people are gradually aware of the diversity and equality of gender roles, calling for a more open and inclusive marriage culture.
Epilogue. In the marriage market of contemporary society, the expectations of parents and the choices of children are intertwined, forming a complex and rich picture. From the blind date corner to family life, tradition and modernity, conservative and open, gender roles and equality concepts are constantly intertwined and collided, showing a rich and colorful marriage model and concept changes. It is in this kind of change that we continue to examine, think, and strive to promote the progress and harmony of marriage and family.