The Influence of Hukou on Young Women's Mate Selection Process--A Case Study of Central and Eastern China
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The Influence of Hukou on Young Women's Mate Selection Process--A Case Study of Central and Eastern China

Yihan Jin 1* Jialu Li 2, Dicheng Wen 3
1 North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power
2 Shanghai University
3 Nanjing Foreign Language School
*Corresponding author: 1643302237@qq.com
Published on 11 July 2025
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LNEP Vol.105
ISSN (Print): 2753-7056
ISSN (Online): 2753-7048
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-251-5
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-252-2
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Abstract

This study explores the influence of the hukou system on young women's mate selection in Central and Eastern China. The hukou, as a household registration system, plays a crucial role in determining an individual's social and economic status, influencing marital choices in modern China. By employing quantitative and qualitative methods, including questionnaires and in-depth interviews, this research examines how hukou preferences vary across different regions and the factors that shape women's mate selection criteria. The findings reveal that while hukou remains an important consideration, many women prioritize emotional compatibility over hukou status. Furthermore, regional differences show that women in East China emphasize family background more than their counterparts in Central China. This study contributes to understanding how institutional factors, such as the hukou, interact with evolving social values, offering insights into contemporary mate selection practices in China.

Keywords:

hukou, unmarried women, mate selection

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Jin,Y.;Li,J.;Wen,D. (2025). The Influence of Hukou on Young Women's Mate Selection Process--A Case Study of Central and Eastern China. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,105,63-74.

References

[1]. Lu, Y. (2008). Does hukou still matter? The household registration system and its impact on social stratification and mobility in China. Social Sciences in China, 29(2), 56-75.

[2]. Lu, M., & Wan, G. (2014). Urbanization and urban systems in the People's Republic of China: Research findings and policy recommendations. China's Economy: A Collection of Surveys, 83-98.

[3]. Wu, Q. T. J. (2022). Changes and Reforms of the Household Registration System since the Founding of New China and Lessons Learned from Experience. Construction in old areas(03), 25-31.

[4]. Yao, X. (2004). On the Evolution and Reform of China's Household Registration System. Law science(05), 45-54.

[5]. Lei, B. Y. G. (2016). China bids farewell to dual urban-rural household registration system. People's Daily Overseas Edition (PRC newspaper), 1.

[6]. Wang, Y., & Schwartz, C. R. (2018). Hukou intermarriage and social exclusion in China. Research in social stratification and mobility, 56, 28-39.

[7]. Hung, J. (2022). Hukou system influencing the structural, institutional inequalities in China: The multifaceted disadvantages rural hukou holders face. Social Sciences, 11(5), 194.

[8]. Tian, F. F., Qian, Y., & Qian, Z. (2018). Hukou locality and intermarriages in two Chinese cities: Shanghai and Shenzhen. Research in social stratification and mobility, 56, 12-20.

[9]. Hu, Q. (2024). Social status and marriage markets: Evaluating a Hukou policy in China. Review of Economics of the Household, 22(2), 477-509.

[10]. Wang, P. (2021). Love in China (1950–now). In International handbook of love: Transcultural and transdisciplinary perspectives (pp. 955-973). Springer.

[11]. Zeng, L., & Liao, T. F. (2022). Social exchange in mate selection of female migrants in China. Marriage & Family Review, 58(3), 199-224.

[12]. Xia, Y. R., & Zhou, Z. G. (2003). The transition of courtship, mate selection, and marriage in China. Mate selection across cultures, 231, 246.

[13]. Zhang, J., Wang, R., & Lu, C. (2019). A quantitative analysis of Hukou reform in Chinese cities: 2000–2016. Growth and Change, 50(1), 201-221.

References

[1]. Lu, Y. (2008). Does hukou still matter? The household registration system and its impact on social stratification and mobility in China. Social Sciences in China, 29(2), 56-75.

[2]. Lu, M., & Wan, G. (2014). Urbanization and urban systems in the People's Republic of China: Research findings and policy recommendations. China's Economy: A Collection of Surveys, 83-98.

[3]. Wu, Q. T. J. (2022). Changes and Reforms of the Household Registration System since the Founding of New China and Lessons Learned from Experience. Construction in old areas(03), 25-31.

[4]. Yao, X. (2004). On the Evolution and Reform of China's Household Registration System. Law science(05), 45-54.

[5]. Lei, B. Y. G. (2016). China bids farewell to dual urban-rural household registration system. People's Daily Overseas Edition (PRC newspaper), 1.

[6]. Wang, Y., & Schwartz, C. R. (2018). Hukou intermarriage and social exclusion in China. Research in social stratification and mobility, 56, 28-39.

[7]. Hung, J. (2022). Hukou system influencing the structural, institutional inequalities in China: The multifaceted disadvantages rural hukou holders face. Social Sciences, 11(5), 194.

[8]. Tian, F. F., Qian, Y., & Qian, Z. (2018). Hukou locality and intermarriages in two Chinese cities: Shanghai and Shenzhen. Research in social stratification and mobility, 56, 12-20.

[9]. Hu, Q. (2024). Social status and marriage markets: Evaluating a Hukou policy in China. Review of Economics of the Household, 22(2), 477-509.

[10]. Wang, P. (2021). Love in China (1950–now). In International handbook of love: Transcultural and transdisciplinary perspectives (pp. 955-973). Springer.

[11]. Zeng, L., & Liao, T. F. (2022). Social exchange in mate selection of female migrants in China. Marriage & Family Review, 58(3), 199-224.

[12]. Xia, Y. R., & Zhou, Z. G. (2003). The transition of courtship, mate selection, and marriage in China. Mate selection across cultures, 231, 246.

[13]. Zhang, J., Wang, R., & Lu, C. (2019). A quantitative analysis of Hukou reform in Chinese cities: 2000–2016. Growth and Change, 50(1), 201-221.

Cite this article

Jin,Y.;Li,J.;Wen,D. (2025). The Influence of Hukou on Young Women's Mate Selection Process--A Case Study of Central and Eastern China. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,105,63-74.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Global Politics and Socio-Humanities

ISBN: 978-1-80590-251-5(Print) / 978-1-80590-252-2(Online)
Editor: Enrique Mallen
Conference website: https://2024.icgpsh.org/
Conference date: 20 December 2024
Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media
Volume number: Vol.105
ISSN: 2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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