One Couple, Two Apartments, Different Surnames for the Children: How 'Two Places to Stay' Is Shaping Families in China

One couple, two apartments, different surnames for the children: How 'two places to stay' is shaping families in China

During fieldwork in cities in China, I came across a new marital practice, locally described as liang-tou-dun, literally "two places to stay."

One couple, two apartments, different surnames for the children: how ‘two places to stay’ is shaping families in China

During fieldwork in cities in China I came across a new marital practice, locally described as liang-tou-dun, literally “two places to stay”. A bride and groom, each an only child of their respective family, receive from each set of parents a wedding apartment. The young couple thus has two marriage apartments which they may occupy at different times. If a couple with “two places to stay” has two children, it is likely one will have the father’s…