2024-03-15
24 分钟Discussion keeps the world turning.
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We examine on today's show the complexities of betrothal gifts in China, shedding light on the impact of recent court rules and the challenges faced by rural bachelors in finding spouses gift money versus the law.
Will court regulations curb the financial strains of betrothal gifts in China?
And we share with you what's brought us joy this week, essentially, what's made us happy in Roundtable's happy place.
For today's program, I'm joined by Xin Yu in the studio and Josh Cotterell on the line.
First on today's show, betrothal gifts or a tradition in chinese marriages in some parts of the country have become increasingly challenging to manage, particularly in rural areas.
Facing a bachelor boom.
With over 30 million more men than women in China by the end of 2023, competition for wives in rural areas has intensified, leading to higher prices for betrothal gifts.
And these gifts, often significant sums of money or goods given by the groom's family to the brides and sometimes to the new couple, have led to financial strains and disputes.
The recent judicial interpretation by the Supreme People's Court aims to clarify and regulate these gifts.
Yet their deep rooted cultural significance and economic pressures continue to pose difficulties in reducing their prevalence.
Xin Yu, what do the judicial interpretations stipulate with regard to the betrothal gift for the bride and the bride's family, or the newly couple?
Yeah, like you said, betrothal gifts, or also known as bride price, is a traditional chinese prerequisite for marriage and also a goodwill gesture between the couple and their two families.
But over the years, the nature of this traditional custom has changed a lot, especially in rural areas, and the bride price has soared to very high levels.