宋代厚嫁述论

Dowry Practice of the Song Dynasty

宋代是中国封建社会发展进程中的一个重要时期 ,商品经济的高度发展、义利观念的根本转变 ,导致婚姻关系中的门第婚让位于财婚 ,婚姻论财成为一种颇具时代特征的社会现象。这种社会现象又不可避免地促成遍及社会各个阶层的厚嫁风气 ,给当时社会造成极大的消极影响 ,诸如杀婴尤其是女婴。

The present paper maintains that commercialization is a key feature in the ideological transformation of Song Dynasty, and the traditional marriage based on family status gives way to marriage based property, leading naturally to the practice of high dowry, the heaven burden caused by which gives rise to such evil practices as girl infant killing, delay of marrying on the part of women, and even spinstership.