In the Almanac (Huangli), "Taking in a Son-in-Law" (纳婿 - Na Xu) usually refers to "Zhao Zhui," which in modern society means having a "live-in son-in-law" (Shang Men Nv Xu) or "marrying into the bride's family" (Ru Zhui - uxorilocal marriage). This custom was very common in ancient Chinese society and continues to this day, still existing in certain regions.
Traditional Background
In traditional Chinese marriage concepts, the groom usually marries the bride and brings her to live in his own home. "Taking in a Son-in-Law," however, refers to the bride's family welcoming the groom into their home, with the groom becoming a member of the bride's family. This form of marriage is most commonly seen in situations where the bride's family has no son to inherit the family estate or when the bride's family is quite wealthy.
Historical Evolution
- Early Period: During the pre-Qin period, "Taking in a Son-in-Law" already existed. The Book of Rites: Domestic Regulations (Li Ji: Nei Ze) records rules regarding women returning to their natal homes. Under specific circumstances, if the woman's clan required it, they would also choose the method of "Taking in a Son-in-Law."
- Development: After the Han Dynasty, with the strengthening of the patriarchal clan system and society's increased emphasis on men continuing the family line, the proportion of "Taking in a Son-in-Law" gradually decreased, but it was still preserved as a special marital form.
- Modern Era: Entering the modern era, with changes in people's ideological concepts and the elevation of women's status, the phenomenon of "Taking in a Son-in-Law" increased once again. Especially in some rural areas or small towns, when the woman's family only has one daughter, they might choose this method to continue the family line or maintain the family estate.
- Contemporary Times: In contemporary society, due to social progress and changing concepts, taking in a son-in-law is no longer bound by tradition. People yearn for a free family life and marital status. It no longer simply refers to the traditional act of the man marrying into the woman's family, but is more of a behavioral term for marriage from the different perspectives of both the man's and woman's families, such as "taking a wife" (Qu Xi) versus "taking in a son-in-law" (Na Xu).
Social Impact
- Economic Factors: In many cases, "Taking in a Son-in-Law" is closely related to economic conditions. For example, if the bride's family is well-off, they may hope the groom will join to jointly run the family business; or if the groom's family is impoverished, he can obtain better living conditions through this method.
- Cultural Identity: Although "Taking in a Son-in-Law" differs in form from traditional wedding customs, it equally carries important values in traditional Chinese culture regarding filial piety and family continuation. At the same time, it reflects the changes in people's perceptions of gender roles across different periods.
- Legal Protection: With the continuous improvement of the legal system, the rights and interests of uxorilocal couples and their children have received more attention. Relevant laws and regulations clearly stipulate issues such as property distribution and children's surnames in live-in son-in-law marriages, striving to protect the interests of all parties.
Current Situation
Today, "Taking in a Son-in-Law" is no longer confined to being a reluctant move under specific conditions, but has become an equal and voluntary choice. More and more people are beginning to accept and respect this marriage model; it represents social progress and the development trend of a multicultural society.
In summary, as a part of traditional Chinese marriage culture, "Taking in a Son-in-Law" contains profound historical and cultural connotations and reflects the process of social evolution. With the development of the times, "Taking in a Son-in-Law" will continue to integrate into modern social life with a new look.
