Attane I. auteur aut IRD Zhang Q. L. auteur aut IRD Li S. Z. auteur aut IRD Yang X. Y. auteur aut IRD Guilmoto Christophe auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access Traditionally, marriage is a near universality in China. However, in the coming decades, owing to the growing sex imbalance, millions of men will be unable to marry. As a consequence, bachelorhood is becoming a new demographic concern, particularly affecting men from the most disadvantaged socio-economic groups. In China's cultural context today, heterosexual marriage remains a prerequisite for family formation and, in rural society particularly, the legitimate setting for sexual activity. Under such circumstances, bachelorhood is likely to produce privations on various fronts, the consequences of which for both the individual and the community are still largely unknown. This article focuses on the opinions and sexual behaviour of bachelors, and highlights significant variations from those of married men. It is based on the findings of an exploratory survey conducted in 2008 in selected villages in a rural county in Anhui province, referred to here as JC county. The survey provides insights into the more general situation of rural men unable to marry in a context of female shortage, and indicates the conditions a growing number of Chinese men will face in the near future. specialized Rural China women shortage bachelorhood marriage sexual behaviour poverty CHINE 108 106 215 703-726 2013 0305-7410 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010061152 10.1017/s0305741013000702 0305-7410 [F B010061152] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010061152 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2013/10/010061152.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2013-11-04 2024-04-29 fdi:010061152 fre