Understanding the Change of the Social Openness in China from the Perspective of Household Registry Matching in Marriage

Content introduction：

The household registration (hukou) system is a major institution in Chinese society. An examination of the household registry matching in marriage reveals a number of factors that influence mate selection, including geographic location, social status and access to social and economic resources. The change of the household registry matching between the couples is thus a good indication of the change of social openness to a certain extent. Draws upon statistical analysis of 2004-2011 Beijing marriage registration data, this study finds that in a time of extensive internal migration, the intermarriage circle is growing while the general characteristics of homogamy and marriage gradient remains significant in contemporary China.