Today's Chinese Divorce Culture

The modern Chinese woman has achieved much more than people may have once thought.  She has more freedom and more financial security than the women of her mother's and grandmother's time.  Chinese women travel across the world for employment, even marriage to foreigners, these days.  However, despite the positive effects of the new power women have earned there remain social concerns in China about the rising phenomenom of divorce.  As an example, many Beijing residents will tell you that one of the most costly changes in society is the increase of the instances of divorce.  Accoring to the Beijing Youth Daily, the divorce rate in the Forbidden City rose to 24.4 percent in 1994.  That was more than double the rate four years prior.  The national divorce rate in China is now 10.4 percent.

For women in Beijing, the expanding divorce rate is a reflection of the new freedom and empowerment of the modern time.  It is also evidence that women bring new expectations to marriage.  More than 70 percent of divorces are initiated by women, according to divorce lawyers in China.  The common reason given is that the husband has had an affair with another woman.  In the past, Chinese women may have remained in this type of marriage for a lifetime.  This is not the situation any more.  When a husband cheats, the wife now divorces!

The Asian woman of China is making great strides in many areas today, most of which were totally closed her even one generation ago.  However, along with the greater freedom has come another new challenge.  As the role of Chinese women has changed, so has the nature of human relationships which would include marriage and family.  A woman has to ask herself what kind of marriage she is looking for.  She must understand what her expectations are, and if she will be happy even if her expectations are met.  The modern Asian woman of today has more freedom.  In addition, she also has more responsibility for her own happiness... and that of her family!

Harlan Urwiler

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