Book & Film Groups
Choosing Daughters: Family Change in Rural China by Lihong Shi
During the winter/spring semester of 2021, Dr. Diana M. Wood will lead an asynchronous book discussion group on Choosing Daughters: Family Change in Rural China by Lihong Shi. This book represents recent research within one village (Lijia) in Liaoning Province, the most southern of the three provinces comprising the area formerly known as Manchuria. The author's grandfather had close ties to this village so Lihong Shi was able to talk frequently with village residents as she lived in the village during at least three research trips. In fact, the personal stories recounted in each chapter provide terrific insight into the shifting view of child gender preference in one area of China. This book covers birth planning policy, changing views of baby gender preference and concerns over the increasing expense of “bridewealth” for prospective young men's families.