Since ancient times, people's lives have been inseparable from marriage and family. In ancient Chinese society, the Shang Dynasty was a very important historical period. During this period, the concept of marriage and the family in society had unique characteristics.
Polygamy was common in the early Shang Dynasty, meaning that a man could marry more than one wife. But over time, this system gradually changed. In the late period, monogamy became mainstream, meaning that a person could only have one legal wife. However, polygamy may recur in exceptional circumstances, such as when the male population is declining due to war or disease.
Let's talk about the concept of the family during the Shang Dynasty, when the family was the basic unit of society. Every family is made up of fathers, mothers, and their children. Parents attach great importance to their children's education, and they will teach their children various survival skills, including agricultural knowledge, handicrafts, etc. In addition, they will teach children how to behave and understand the importance of morality.
During the Shang Dynasty, the status of women was relatively high. Not only can they participate in household chores, but they can also own their own property. At the same time, they also have a certain right to choose their own spouse. This was a great improvement for China at that time.
The marriage system and family concept during the Shang Dynasty had their own unique features. Although this period has long passed, we can learn a lot from it. For example, we can see that the changes in the marriage system reflect the progress and development of society, while the concept of family reflects people's pursuit of a harmonious life. We should respect the values of marriage and family, both in the past and in the present, and let them become an important force in promoting social development.