The founding of New China put an end to the feudal marital and family system
that had endured for several millennia.Independent marriage based on mutual love and family in which husband and wife are equal have become the main current in contemporary Chinese Society.(1) _________________________________________.In old China, over 95 percent of marriages were arranged on a monetary basis.Over the last 40-odd years, the degree of freedom in choosing a partner has increased significantly.Sample investigations show that 74 percent of young couples make the decision themselves to wed or do so after consultation with their parents,and 80 percent of marriages of women under 40 years old are based on their own choice.(2) _____________________________________________.This is a warmly welcome change to most women.This fact has helped improve the equality of marriage and enhance family stability;moreover, it lays an emotional foundation for equality between husband and wife in the family.(3) _______________________________________________________.In old China, however, surnames symbolized the continuity of a clan,and most women had no formal name before marriage.They adopted their husband’s surname after they wed and children used their father's surnames.In New China, both husband and wife have equal right to use their own names and children do not have to adopt their father’s surname as was the former custom.In cities, quite a few children take their mother’s surname.
