家和家人的范围、层级和功能分析

An Analysis of the Scope,Hierarchy and Function of the Chinese Family

本文基于历史和当代制度及民众实践,提出中国的家实际包括同宗之家、服亲之家、同祖之家、同父之家和夫妇之家五个层级,进而形成家层级结构概念。根据本项研究,近代之前,同宗之家、服亲之家和同祖之家特别是服亲之家、同祖之家成员在官方制度中被赋予较多的责任、义务和权利功能,这些功能以允许、限制和鼓励所为的形式表现出来。民国时期,同宗之家、服亲之家和同祖之家成员间功能关系减弱,当代功能性关系降至同父之家成员范围内,且具有了男女双系特征。在民间社会,婚丧嫁娶等仪式性活动中同祖之家仍是重要关系单位。乡村服亲之家成员在礼仪性活动中多有互动,在村庄公职竞选中仍为人们所重视。

Based on the historical and contemporary institutions as well as popular practices,this paper argues that the Chinese family consists in a hierarchical structure of five levels:the family as a clan,the family as a mourning clan,the family of the grandfather,the family of the father,and the family of husband and wife.According to our study,pre-modern China bestowed more responsibilities,duties and rights on the first three levels,in particular the mourning-clan level and the grandfather level,in the official institutions.During the period of the Republic of China,the familial functions of the first three levels weakened.In contemporary times,major familial functions have concentrated in the father’s family,with the distinctive characteristics of combined patriarchal and matriarchal lineages.However,in native society,the family of the grandfather still plays an important role in various rituals such as marriage and funeral.Members of the mourning clan still connect with each in various festivities and village elections.