Naked marriage in China
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Naked marriage in China (Chinese: 裸婚), sometimes called "bare marriage", is a form of marriage that is undertaken without the couple having first accumulated a solid financial foundation. Typically it does not include a wedding, a ring, a house, a car or a honeymoon. The practice contrasts with the traditional Chinese custom of parents helping to provide the assets for their children's marriages. Naked marriage has become increasingly prevalent in China[1] and is popular among people born in the country after the 1980s. It is generally recognized as a frugal way for loving partners to marry under the enormous economic pressure China's younger generation is facing in the 21st century.
Social pressure
After the 2008 financial crisis, the popularity of naked culture soared in China. Because of the high cost of living and intense job competition, people born after the 1980s found it difficult to have a car, a house, or savings. Many of them have been forced to choose a naked marriage due to this harsh reality. Statistics have shown that, over 50% of the young people turning 30 cannot afford both a car and a house.[2] Rapidly increasing house prices can make young people feel powerless and frustrated. In some cases, the only marriage option available to them is naked marriage. High house prices also reduce the overall marriage rates in China and consequent rates of fertility, as well as causing other serious social problems.[3]
The pursuit of pure love
Traditionally, marriage in China has a basis in material possessions. However, some young couples choosing a naked marriage do so in pursuit of pure love, which they consider to be an important element in modern marriage.[4] From their perspective, in a world fraught with material temptations, the key consideration for matchmaking has taken the wrong path in pursuing a sound economic base rather than pure love. In their love philosophy, it is pure love that can stand the test of time and be the bedrock of a successful marriage. In order to express an enthusiastic plea for pure love, they choose to get rid of superficial marital accessories, and this has given an impetus to the boom in naked marriage. Despite the public's seemingly favorable response to these values, however, many of the people surveyed reject the impulse to disavow all the traditional trappings of marriage.[5][6]
The rise of self-cognition
Naked marriage can be said to be a product of the rebellious nature of China's younger generation on the topic of love. With an increasing awareness of self-cognition, young people of China grow to see themselves unique and independent with personal preferences.[7] In terms of marital form, their choices manifest their intense internal beliefs under the pressure of external restrictions, as well as their eagerness for independence. In this materialistic society, it is common that the masses deem a stable economic condition a crucial factor of marriage. However, young people gradually come to their own realization that sustaining their beliefs can also lead to a happy marital life. Despite the lack of a house, car and luxury wedding, they believe that, what really counts is to determinedly follow their heart for the sake of happiness instead of compromising to the secular values of the society.[5]
