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Coming of Age in Times of Change

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  • Wei-Jun Jean Yeung
  • Shu Hu

Abstract

This article aims to (1) describe trends for Chinese young adults’ pathways into adulthood for birth cohorts that have experienced distinct historical events over the past half century and (2) examine factors that shape young adults’ transitioning behavior. We draw data from the 2005 to 2008 Chinese General Social Survey. In contrast to the increasingly protracted trend seen in many Western societies, the more recent Chinese cohorts transitioned to marriage and parenthood sooner than those who grew up during the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. The economic and education reforms since the late 1970s have greatly increased urban-rural disparity in youths’ life trajectories despite their generally positive impact on young adults’ educational attainment and economic well-being. While near-universal marriage and childbearing within marriage prevail and son preference remains strong in modern China, evidence suggests that today’s young Chinese are exploring new pathways to adulthood, including cohabitation and premarital sex.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei-Jun Jean Yeung & Shu Hu, 2013. "Coming of Age in Times of Change," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 646(1), pages 149-171, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:646:y:2013:i:1:p:149-171
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716212468667
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elizabeth Fussell & Anne H. Gauthier & Ann Evans, 2007. "Heterogeneity in the Transition to Adulthood: The Cases of Australia, Canada, and the United States," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 23(3), pages 389-414, October.
    2. Monica Das Gupta & Jiang Zhenghua & Li Bohua & Xie Zhenming & Woojin Chung & Bae Hwa-Ok, 2003. "Why is Son preference so persistent in East and South Asia? a cross-country study of China, India and the Republic of Korea," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(2), pages 153-187.
    3. Meng, Xin & Gregory, R G, 2002. "The Impact of Interrupted Education on Subsequent Educational Attainment: A Cost of the Chinese Cultural Revolution," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 50(4), pages 935-959, July.
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