【作者简介】刘志强，浙江省社会科学院，宋月萍，唐士茹，中国人民大学

【文章来源】《社会学评论》2026年第1期

【内容提要】初婚深刻影响生命轨迹、家庭发展和人口稳定，是婚姻家庭研究的核心主题。本文对中国初婚研究进行了系统梳理，发现初婚的总体趋势、影响因素、匹配模式以及初婚稳定性等构成核心研究议题。这些议题可进一步整合为婚姻制度性地位和婚姻社会分层两条研究主线。前者关注宏观层面中国的普婚模式是否延续，后者聚焦分析微观层面婚姻的阶层差异，二者虽各有侧重但仍有内在关联，显现出中国初婚模式变迁的特殊性和与其他地区的共性。推动中国初婚研究进一步发展，须在理论层面构建突出中国主体性的系统性分析框架，在数据方法层面深化局限性和适用性反思，在内容层面拓展研究边界。

【关键词】初婚研究 / 婚姻制度性地位 / 婚姻社会分层

【全文链接】http://src.ruc.edu.cn/CN/Y2026/V14/I1/193

Literature on First Marriage in China: A Review and Future Directions

Abstract: The first marriage profoundly shapes life trajectories, family dynamics, and demographic stability, constituting a central focus in marriage and family studies. This paper systematically reviews the literature on first marriage in China, identifying four core research themes: trends, determinants, matching patterns, and marital stability. These research themes can be further integrated into two main threads: the institutional status of marriage and the social stratification of marriage. While the former questions the persistence of China’s universal marriage pattern at the macro level, the latter concentrates on social class differences in marriage at the micro level. Intrinsically interconnected, these two threads collectively reveal both the particularities and commonalities in China’s marriage transition. To further advance the research, it is necessary to develop a theoretical framework that highlights Chinese perspectives and systematic approaches,critical discussions of limitations and applicability of data and methodology, and the extension of research boundaries.