The Chinese government is cracking down on exorbitant bride price in China, or dowries paid by the groom to the bride’s family. The move stems from fears of women being commodified and comes amid a gender imbalance caused by decades of stringent family planning restrictions.
In rural parts of China, the custom is even more extreme. It involves a number of ceremonies and can even include cars or real estate.
What Makes Chinese Brides So Desirable?
As China’s economy grows, so do Chinese bride price. The country’s rural gender imbalance, exacerbated by China’s now-defunct one-child policy, is also a factor. There are currently 108 men for every 100 women in rural areas, according to government statistics. The gender imbalance has caused families to demand sky-high bride prices in order to attract prospective grooms.
The bride gift, or cai li () as it is known in Chinese, is an ancient tradition in China that is similar to a dowry but given from the family of the woman to her husband’s family prior to marriage. Traditionally, it was a form of compensation for the cost of raising a daughter and providing her with an education. It was also a way for families to show off their wealth and status. Today, however, it has become more of a symbol of social comparison and the need to gain “face” by bragging about how high their Chinese mail order brides prices is.
Many Chinese families are emptying their savings to pay exorbitant bride prices, forcing some into debt. In addition, the practice has led to numerous disputes and even murders, including a case where an old man smashed his daughter’s head in after she refused to accept his Chinese brides for sale of more than 300,000 yuan (US$47,500). As a result, some local governments are trying to limit these exorbitant prices.
How Can I Meet Chinese Mail Order Brides?
The main in finding a Chinese mail order bride is to sign up with an online dating site. There are many legitimate sites to choose from, but it is important to read reviews and ask for referrals before deciding on one. Once you have found a site you trust, start chatting and building relationships with Chinese women.
As you build your relationship, be sure to respect her culture and traditions. It is also important to let her know that you are serious about the relationship. You can show this by introducing her to your family and friends.
China is struggling with a shortage of females. While the controversial “one child for each family” policy has helped to address this problem, it has also led to exorbitant China bride prices. In some cases, families have been forced to empty their savings or even go bankrupt because they can’t afford the hefty dowry.
In an effort to curb these high China bride price, the government has launched a number of campaigns. For example, a county in Henan has recommended that bride prices should not exceed 30,000 yuan. And, in an attempt to promote new values and norms, a city in Jiangxi held a group wedding with zero bride price China last year.
Bride Price in China and Its Impact on Marriage
The concept of bride price in China has a significant influence on marriage, involving a payment made by the groom to the bride’s family. This tradition, while centuries old, continues in the modern era. The bride price varies based on region, and it plays a crucial role in shaping matrimonial agreements across the country.
The most noticeable trends is the rising financial expectations tied to the bride price in China. With increasing urbanization, men who wish to marry often need to meet substantial financial requirements, including providing housing, other material assets, and cash payments. This social expectation creates pressure on males seeking to marry Chinese brides.
Meanwhile, Chinese brides and their families uphold traditions where the bride price is regarded as a reflection of the groom’s capability to provide for the family. The historical precedent for ensuring the security of China brides has taken a modern financial angle, yet it remains rooted in ways of giving symbolic proof of good intentions.
This has a noticeable impact on rural areas, where the gender imbalance is especially striking. Many men cannot afford a high bride price, and as a result, they face increasing struggles when searching for potential spouses. Chinese mail order brides, however, offer an alternative for some men, facilitating international marriages where these steep bride prices may not apply. Foreign men often find these costs or their absence manageable, which might drive increasing numbers of men from other countries to seek out mail order bride Chinese options.
Conversely, potential brides from China also face their own social considerations. The choice to marry internationally could be affected by economic circumstances in China, personal aspirations, and cultural openness. There’s a balancing act at play, while bride price remains relevant domestically, international pursuits may provide economic or lifestyle benefits that alter traditional expectations.
Are Chinese Brides Open to Marrying Foreigners?
While the Chinese government has stepped up efforts to rein in exorbitant mail order brides China, it’s not clear that the practice will be eliminated any time soon. The high cost of marrying a Chinese woman has made it difficult for men of average income to find wives. Many families are forced to empty their savings and even declare bankruptcy in order to secure a marriage. This has led to resentment and even squabbling between even amicable young couples. In addition, the high price of brides has discouraged some young people from getting married at all.
Known as reverse dowries, the tradition of paying mail order bride China has been around in China for 3,000 years. Historically, this was an act of compassion for the family of the bride. Today, however, the transaction is seen more as an act of status. It’s also a way for grooms to impress their families and peers. Regardless, the amount paid for a bride varies greatly by region. In rural northern China, for example, families are expected to offer much more than in other parts of the country.
Some experts cite the gender imbalance in rural China, as well as the one-child policy, as contributing factors to the soaring mail order bride China prices. In 2021, for instance, there were 108 men for every 100 women in rural areas, and the gender imbalance was further exacerbated by the fact that rural families prefer sons over daughters.
What Are the Costs Involved in Finding a Chinese
If you want to meet and marry a Chinese woman, you’ll need to be prepared for the extra costs involved. Aside from the trip itself, you’ll also need to pay for things like jewelry gifts, Guo Da Li (the betrothal ceremony organized when a couple decides to marry), and Chinese wedding reception expenses.
Some regions have much higher bride prices than others. For example, according to a map released by Tencent’s Guyu Data in September 2020, Zhejiang had the highest average bride price at more than 183,000 RMB. Other top bride Chinese price areas include Heilongjiang, Jiangxi, and Fujian.
One theory behind the high bride prices in these regions is the gender imbalance. There are simply too few young women to go around, which means that they can be choosier about whom they choose to marry. Moreover, the tradition of commoditizing women through Chinese brides sale is not doing China’s push for gender equality any favours.
You can save money on many of these extra expenses by choosing to travel at off-season times and making smart choices when it comes to dates and gifts. By following these tips, you can significantly cut the cost of finding and marrying a Chinese wife without compromising her happiness or your ability to build a loving and stable home together.