Carried Away: Love in China

Ni Hao! Around the world, love is one of the most basic emotions that can be commonly identified by people from all different ethnic backgrounds.

The classic Chinese view on love and relationships varies immensely from those in the United States. The romantic relationships that the Chinese have contain much more commitment and hold a lot of weight on them, as dating is looked at as a step before marriage. Chinese romantic culture often reflects the views on love from years ago.

Traditionally, families would arrange the marriage for their daughter. The classic way is to pick well suited husband would be a wealthy man, who would bring up the families social class and economic benefit or wealth; their daughter’s preferences would often be overlooked. Who the family picked would have to acceptable to society and “look good” to be accepted by the community.

In the Disney movie Mulan, we are able to see how family is the most important thing in the Chinese culture. Family plays a huge role on who you are and who you choose to be with.

Romance and passion were viewed as unrealistic expressions, and the couple was more committed to accommodating their partner’s needs. Chinese women expected to be taken care of by their partner very attentively and tenderly.

In China’s changing, more modernize culture today views on relationships have changed significantly. In the dating scene in China, instead of going out, having a few drinks and dancing as we would in the United States, sometimes couples in China study together.

The Chinese are more rational when it comes to love. When looking for a relationship personal preference is taken into consideration along with public and family expectations.

Compared to the large divorce rate in the United States, China’s divorce rate is only about 16% of what the United States is.

Chinese women are much more independent and want a man only after she herself has succeeded. A partner must be doing at least as well as the other, has to be compatible, and both morally and spiritually alike.

Each year in China on November 11^th an unofficial holiday know as China’s singles day occurs. Singles are encourages to go out and mingle to find a partner.

Romance and love can be more difficult to find in a stricter more critical society, and women in China are encouraged to find a partner primarily on financial considerations instead of romantic ones. As in any country love will always be difficult to find, but never impossible.