社会变革与婚姻支付:20世纪50-80年代中国农村的彩礼和嫁妆

Social Change and Marriage Payment:Betrothal Gifts and Dowry in Rural China between 1950s and 1980s

20世纪50-80年代的中国农村极具变动性,政治运动、制度变迁、习俗更迭影响着农民日常生活的方方面面。彩礼和嫁妆所呈现的婚姻支付关系成为社会变革的最好注脚之一,体现了传统生活的延续性和新型社会的变迁性共存。不论是男方家庭支出的彩礼还是女方家庭支出的嫁妆,都体现了家庭之间财产的相互转移规律,反映了社会发展从传统向现代的不断演变。

China＇s rural areas between 1950s and 1980s are undoubtedly highly volatile. Po- litical movements, institutional changes and customs change have affected all aspects of farmers daily life. The relationship of marriage payment of bride price and dowry has become one of the best footnote of the social change, reflecting the coexistence of traditional life con- tinuity and new social change. No matter is the man＇ s betrothal gift or the woman＇s dowry, reflects the law of mutual transfer of property between families, and reflects the evolution of social development from the traditional to the modern society.