Conservatism In Modern Chinese Family Law

This book provides an in-depth look at the traditional family law of China. Drawing on primary sources and historical texts, the author explores the complex and fascinating legal and social structures that governed Chinese family life for centuries. From marriage and divorce to inheritance and property law, this book offers a unique perspective on Chinese legal history. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Originally published in 1896. Introduction: The Chinese family life, with its sexual purity coupled with filial piety, has greatly contributed towards the maintenance of the Chinese nation. Everything revolves round the family as the centre, and the family circle with its natural conservatism has had a beneficial influence towards the outside world. The Chinese family life compares favourably with the somewhat too loose bonds of the occidental, -in fact, in family life China presents herself at her best..... This unusual works is a comprehensive and informative look at the subject. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900's and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Polyandry. "Getting a husband to support a husband." Attitudes of families, communities, and women toward polyandry. The intermediate range of practice -- Wife-selling. Anatomy of a wife sale. Analysis of prices in wife sales. Negotiations between men in wife sales. Wives, natal families, and children. Four variations on a theme -- Polyandry and wife-selling in Qing law. Formal law and central court interpretation from Ming through high Qing. Absolutism versus pragmatism in central court treatment of wife sales. Flexible adjudication of routine cases in the local courts.