The Impact of China’s Demographic Policy on the Transformation of Family Values

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the key mechanisms through which the demographic policy of the People’s Republic of China has influenced changes in family values from 1978 to 2024. The research analysed key legal and regulatory documents that shaped the development of China’s demographic policy, statistical data on marriage and birth rate trends, as well as the results of sociological studies and demographic forecasts. The findings revealed that demographic reforms have led to the formation of a new family model in Chinese society, characterised by a predominance of nuclear households, with the average family size decreasing from 4.8 to 2.9 members. A significant shift in gender roles was identified, marked by an increase in women’s economic independence and their participation in family decision-making—82% of urban women successfully balance careers with motherhood. A new parenting paradigm has emerged, with a notable rise in the amount of time parents spend with their children (from 1.2 to 3.8 h/day) and increased investment in children’s education. The transformation of intergenerational relationships is evident in the shift from traditional elder care models, as 45% of urban families now utilise professional care services. A key aspect of this transformation has been the digitalisation of family communication, with 85% of families actively using digital technologies to maintain intergenerational connections and manage household finances. Forecasts up to 2100 suggest the continuation of these trends, with the development of new family relationship models characterised by a high degree of individualisation in life strategies while preserving core Confucian values in a modernised form.