Emerging Dimensions of Marriage in Asia

Abstract

This article contextualizes and highlights findings from the 14 articles included in this special issue that aims to examine emerging dimensions in Asia. The articles cover a wide range of topics and all make an original contribution to our understanding of different aspects of marriage in the region. The vast diversity in East, Southeast, and South Asia continues to be observed ranging from universal marriage and the high prevalence of child marriages in some countries to high singlehood rates in others. This issue explores the extent to which the “second demographic transition” occurs in Asia, documenting the rising cohabitation, singlehood, and divorce in the Philippines, China, Indonesia, and Taiwan. Transnational marriages in Singapore and South Korea and remarriage patterns in Thailand are also examined. The rise in women’s education remains a key determinant of union formation behavior empowering women in making decisions about whether, when, and to whom they marry.

Romantic relationships and attitudes in Asian emerging adults: Review and critique

“…In a 2020 online survey of over 54,000 college students in China, 64.6% believed that having sex before marriage is acceptable (Blazyte, 2022). Similarly, delayed marriage is also observed in educated women in Southeast Asian countries, such as Singapore, Thailand, and Myanmar (Yeung & Jones, 2023). Consequently, romantic relationships have become a significant aspect of life for Asian emerging adults.…”

“…Furthermore, there is great diversity in romantic relationships and values within Asia. For example, dating values are very different between East Asia and South Asia, in terms of views on premarital sex, cohabitation, and age at marriage (Yeung & Jones, 2023). Early marriage (married by 18) is commonly observed in South Asian countries, such as Bangladesh, likely resulting in experiences and views of dating and marital values that would be very different from those regions where delayed marriage is observed (such as most of China, Japan, and Singapore; Torabi, 2023).…”

“…Despite cultural variations, recent statistics indicate that demographic shifts observed in the United States are also occurring in Asia due to rapid economic growth and increased globalization. For instance, there has been an increase in cohabitation rates, delayed marriage, and engagement in premarital sexual activities among the emerging adult population in Asia, particularly among those who are educated (Madigan & Blair, 2020; Mu, 2023; Yeung & Jones, 2023). In 2016, the average age of first marriage for men in many Asian countries, such as South Korea, Hong Kong, and Japan, was 31, and for women, it was 29 (Kameke, 2019).…”

Family ideals in an era of low fertility

“…26 ). The same can be said about trends in union formation and dissolution ( 27 – 29 ). These studies, however, are generally silent regarding the relative importance or value attached to fertility desires in relation to partnership arrangements or the constellation of other interrelated choices that families regularly make.…”