The demand for a ‘normal’ life: Marriage and its discontents in contemporary China

“Marriage fraud” or social constraint? Reasons for understanding tongzhi and tongqi in mixed‐orientation marriages in China

“…Compulsory (heterosexual) marriages are still prevailing in contemporary China (Cui, 2022; Kam, 2014; Wang, 2020; Yan, 2009), which push most respondents, regardless of their gender and sexual orientation, to conform to conventional marriage, and particularly to marry by a certain age even if the relationship might not be ideal. At the societal level, the family is the most basic cell of society, and a stable and harmonious family is the foundation of a harmonious society (Fincher, 2014; Wang, 2020).…”

“…At the family level, parental pressure is another significant and more troubling factor influencing their adult children's marital decisions (Choi & Luo, 2016; Gui, 2016; Qi, 2014; To, 2013). Filial piety and traditional patriarchal family values are prevalent in mainland China, particularly worse under the one‐child policy (Gong et al., 2015; Hildebrandt, 2018; Kam, 2014). Daughters also need to shoulder filial obligations to their parents due to the impact of the one‐child policy (Deutsch, 2006; Eklund, 2018; Qi, 2014).…”

“…Regardless of assigned sex at birth, the only child becomes “the only hope” of the family (Fong, 2004). Adult children, particularly those from the one‐child family, face greater pressure for marriage and procreation (Hildebrandt, 2018; Kam, 2014). In addition, Chinese parents believe they are responsible for their adult children's marriage; in fact, they are under specific moral pressure to ensure such a marriage takes place (Choi & Luo, 2016; Gui, 2016; Qi, 2014; Yan, 2009).…”