The Phenomenon of High Bride Price in Rural Areas Revealed: Family Wealth Transfer and Social Risks.
Recently, the investigation of the phenomenon of high bride price in rural areas has attracted widespread attention. According to the survey, the national bride price has appeared significantly around 2010, and it has increased by at least 10 times so far. In rural areas such as Shaanxi, Hubei, and Henan, high bride prices not only bring huge economic pressure to families, but also cause a series of social problems.
1. Family property risks caused by bride price.
Traditionally, the control of family assets in China has ensured the security of the family's property to a large extent and avoided many family risks. However, the high bride price allows young rural couples to quickly grasp the family wealth, and the in-laws are friendly to them, but it also increases the risk of family breakdown. Once the family breaks down, the son's hope of remarriage is slim, which makes the status of the young rural daughter-in-law in the family significantly improved.
Second, the possibility of overdraft family development of the bride price.
Rural marriages brought about by high bride prices often overdraw the wealth and development space of the whole family. Young daughters-in-law often lack the ability to control the use of wealth after receiving the bride price, and are prone to "splurge", such as buying high-end mobile phones, cars, and luxury goods. This kind of consumption behavior has further weakened the ability of peasant families to resist risks, and has made the problems of the elderly sick and old-age care and children's education more serious.
3. Imbalance between rights and responsibilities.
In the past, the mother-in-law usually held the control of the family property and was responsible for the planning and expenditure of the family property. But now, young people who receive large bride prices are more focused on their personal lives, and the responsibility for family expenses and favors is shifted to their parents. This behavior exacerbates the burden on parents and also leads to an imbalance between rights and responsibilities.
Social repercussions and change.
In the face of the problems caused by high bride prices, society is changing. The traditional concept of "having a son" is gradually fading, and many villagers are glad to have given birth to daughters in order to reduce the burden on their families. At the same time, a large proportion of overage migrant workers who are still in the labor market have to continue to toil for the bride price.
The phenomenon of high bride price in rural areas has not only brought huge economic pressure to families, but also caused a series of social problems. In order to ensure the stability of the family and the harmonious development of society, we need to re-examine this traditional practice and find a reasonable solution. At the same time, we and all sectors of society should also strengthen guidance and education to improve the financial management ability of young couples in rural areas and promote the sustainable development of families.