Yes, some Chinese couples do live together before marriage, especially in specific regions and under certain conditions.
Premarital Cohabitation Trends in China
While traditional norms concerning relationships and marriage have varied across China, recent decades have seen shifts in practices, including premarital cohabitation.
Key Finding from Research
According to a study cited in the "Cohabitation and Divorce - Mate Selection in China" reference, premarital cohabitation is a phenomenon observed in contemporary China.
Specifically, the research indicates:
- Location: In rural areas of China
- Condition: For adult women and men who have already become engaged
- Trend: It has become common for these couples to cohabit prior to marriage.
(Source: Zheng et al., 2001, cited in Cohabitation and Divorce - Mate Selection in China)
Understanding the Scope
Based on this specific reference, we can confirm that living together before marriage does occur among Chinese couples. However, the finding provided is focused on a particular demographic: engaged couples in rural areas.
This means that while the answer to the general question is yes (as it happens in this specific case), the reference does not provide information about:
- The prevalence of cohabitation among couples who are not yet engaged.
- Cohabitation practices among couples living in urban areas of China.
Therefore, while premarital cohabitation exists, its commonness and acceptance may vary significantly depending on factors like geographical location (rural vs. urban) and relationship status (engaged vs. not engaged).
Summary based on the provided reference:
| Location | Relationship Status | Premarital Cohabitation Trend (according to reference) |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas | Engaged | Common |
(Note: Information for other locations or relationship statuses was not provided in the given reference.)
Conclusion
Drawing from the provided reference, it is evident that premarital cohabitation is a common practice for engaged couples residing in rural areas of China. This confirms that some Chinese couples do live together before marriage, at least within this specific context.
