A Comparative Study of Mate Selection Between American Youth and Chinese Youth

Thesis Statement：Mate selection, which is governed by some invisible rules and principles, is a common practice throughout human history, but it differs from nation to nation for the cultural differences, and it won't be the same for the same reason．Outline：I. Introduction A. The significance of the discussion B. Layout of the paperII. Principles and rules that regulate the choice of a mate A. Five fundamental theories on mate selection in sociology 1．The theory of historical precedent 2. The theory of psycho-analysis 3. The theory of complementary need 4. The theory of value 5. The theory of filtering process B. Two general rules 1. Endogamy 2．ExogamyIII. Important criteria in mate selection A. Chinese youth's expectation for a mate 1. Male's list of an ideal wife and female's list of an ideal husband 2. Qualities desired in a mateB. American's expectation for a mate 1. Qualities of an ideal mate 2. Other concernsIV. The similarities between two nations A. Age consideration B. Equity seekingV. The differences that are brought about by the cultural pattern A. Arranged marriage B. Views on sex C. Religion D. Love E. OthersVI. Conclusion A. Tentative predication on development of mate selection B. Restatement of the thesis

A Comparative Study of Mate SelectionBetween American and Chinese Youth Mate selection is a common practice throughout human history and contains profound economic and social meanings．People have to go through several steps to achieve the goal．As the exchange and communication among different cultures is not a rare phenomenon, the study of mate selection can be a very interesting and rewarding topic·. Though following some common practices, people in different cultures may vary in their choice of a mate. This paper is intended to make a tentative study of mate selection between American and Chinese youth．In the light of theories of historical precedent, of psycho-analysis, of complementary need, of value and that of filtering process, as well as the rules of endogamy and exogamy, similarities and differences of mate selection will be discussed．In addition, a tentative predication on development of mate selection is also touched upon． The arrangement of major parts of this paper is as follows：introduction, principles and rules that regulate the choice of a mate, important criteria in mate selection, the similarities between two nations, the differences that are brought about by the cultural pattern, and conclusion． Theoretically, people almost have unlimited choices; in fact, the number is small and mate selection is far from a random event．There are millions of people who could marry. But why does the person choose this person instead of that one? Why would these two persons go together? Theprogress is usually from casual dating to a limited set of partners, and to the choice of one and then to a marriage．Why do people tend to marry the one who is within the similar class rank or profession? It may look simple and casual. Yet we may find some generally recognized principlesand rules after study． Some people may argue that nowadays the life style as well as the attitude towards mate selection of the Chinese has changed during the last decade. Studies have shown us just the opposite．Most people still select marriage partners who resemble themselves in many aspects． The main trend both in China and the United States is Endogamy---marrying the person who resembles him or her in many aspects．Yet there are some other factors also contributing to choice of a marriage partner． Who will marry whom? Why does this person marry that one instead of others？The choice is regulated by some invisible rules and principles, which, governed by social, historical, economic, moral and cultural factors．It is impossible for an individual to escape from those rules．In sociology, there are five theories on mate selection1．It is common in marriage pattern especially when parents choose a marriage partner for their adult children．This type has a long predominance in civilized society．If we use stability of marriage as a criterion, arranged marriages are the best. With arranged marriage, political and economic considerations are far more important than love． Freud, an Austrian psychoanalyst, proposes that human beings, social animals and the physical needs are the most important factors that should be concerned in mate selection．Thus, sexual compatibility and emotional needs are considered so important that mate chosen is largely