Television and Dating in Contemporary China : Identities, Love and Intimacy

"This book considers the changing nature of intimacy in contemporary China, providing a unique case study of romantic subjectivities in young people in the world's fastest growing economy. Since the implementation of reform in 1978, the economic and socio-cultural environment of modern China has experienced a dramatic transformation under the influence of urbanization and globalization, facilitating more individualized identity among Chinese youth. This book bridges the gap between an emergent emphasis on individualisation and the country's traditional norms and values. It focuses on young people's understandings of various forms of relationships such as cohabitation, extramarital relationships and multiple relationships, suggesting a challenge to traditional familial values and an increasingly diversified understanding of the concepts of love and romance. By examining the formation of relationships among 21st century Chinese youth, notably through the lens of popular Chinese TV dating programs, this book considers how dating and relationships mirror China's changing societal structure and examines social and cultural transformations in Chinese society. "-- Provided by publisher Television and Dating in Contemporary China 3 Preface 6 Acknowledgements 8 Contents 9 1 Introduction 12 1.1 Significance of the Field 12 1.2 Situating the Research 13 1.3 Research Questions 16 1.4 Understanding Television, Young People and Dating 18 1.5 Organization of the Book 21 Recommended Readings 24 2 TV Dating as a Mediated Dating Text 26 2.1 Dating Goes from a Private Practice to a Show in the Public Domain 28 2.2 ‘Ordinary’ People in the Context of a Dating Programme 37 2.3 An Accelerated Relationship in a Postmodern Consumerist Culture 46 2.4 Conclusion 53 Recommended Readings 55 3 Desires and Anxieties in Self-Centred Relationships 57 3.1 Fragmented Relationships in a Modern-Life Setting 59 3.2 Self-Centred Relationships in a Nuclear Family Culture 66 3.3 Changing Emotional Ties in an On-the-Move Identity 73 3.4 Diversified Desires and Anxieties in a Postmodern Consumerist Culture 79 3.5 Conclusion 85 Recommended Readings 85 4 Relationship Ethics 87 4.1 Understanding Traditional Morality as Relating to Lifelong Marriage 88 4.1.1 Responsibility and Loyalty in Relationships 89 4.1.2 Development of Relationship-Sustaining Strategies 95 4.2 Changing Morality towards Premarital and Extramarital Relationships 98 4.2.1 Changing Sexual Norms in Premarital Relationships 99 4.2.2 A Changing Morality towards Extramarital Relationships 103 4.3 Emergence of New Ethics in Non-Marital Dating Practices 111 4.4 Conclusion 120 Recommended Readings 123 5 Gendered and Generational Differences towards Relationships 125 5.1 Changing Mate-Choosing Values in the Post-Reform Era 127 5.2 Changing Values towards Traditional Morality in Diversified Relationships 134 5.3 Intergenerational Power Dynamics towards Dating and Relationships 146 5.4 Conclusion 153 Recommended Readings 155 6 Conclusion 157 6.1 Summary of Findings 158 6.1.1 Significance of the Research 158 6.2 Individualized Relationships and a Philosophy of Happiness 159 6.3 Changing Social and Sexual Norms – From Procreation to Sexual Fulfilment? 159 6.4 Generational Differences towards Relationship Practices and Ethics 162 6.5 Changing Gendered Practices towards Dating and Relationships 164 6.5.1 Influential Factors on Identity Construction towards Dating and Relationships 166 6.6 Methodological Contributions 171 6.7 Recommendations and Implications for Future Research 172 6.8 Conclusion 174 Recommended Readings 175 Appendices Appendix A Participant Information Sheet 176 Appendix B Participant Consent Form 178 Appendix C Participant Debriefing Sheet 179 Appendix D Interview Schedule – Young People 180 Appendix E Interview Schedule – Parents’ Generation 182 Appendix F Participants’ Information 184 Appendix G Programme Introduction (If You Are the One) 190 Bibliography 192 Index 220 Front Matter....Pages i-xiii Introduction....Pages 1-14 TV Dating as a Mediated Dating Text....Pages 15-45 Desires and Anxieties in Self-Centred Relationships....Pages 47-76 Relationship Ethics....Pages 77-114 Gendered and Generational Differences towards Relationships....Pages 115-146 Conclusion....Pages 147-165 Back Matter....Pages 167-216