Introduction
Marriage is a lifetime bond of mutual assistance, between two or more person and sharing of some specific roles in the domestic setup. In this essay, the main focus is the different ways that the American and Chinese women think about themselves within the context of their families, with specific reference to Liz’s divorce in the book Eat, Pray, Love. The author of the book really resisted married and decided to be single. In the context of marriage, American and Chinese women have different views regarding marriage. This might have resulted from the differences in their cultural backgrounds and perhaps personal thoughts and aspirations.
Difference between Chinese Culture and American Culture
Concerning culture, American and Chinese women think differently about their roles in the families. Firstly, the way each group handles marriage issues brings the difference in culture. Indeed, American women see it important to be married when they are still a virgin, meaning that most of the women try to remain a virgin before getting any responsible marriage partner. In China, this is not liberal, and that it is a rule. Most of the parents consider it indiscipline and disrespect for a young girl to engage in sex before marriage. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the girl child to preserve her body and wait for the right time. Secondly, whereas Chinese women readily accept divorce, it does not apply in the context of America. Essentially, American women believe that the institution of marriage should remain consolidated for the rest of one’s life. They do not readily accept an end to a marriage relationship. However, contemporary Chinese women believe that divorce is part of life that people sometimes undergo in society. This is contrary to the traditional Chinese belief that marriage was a lifetime commitment and bond, and divorce in those days would result in social stigmatization. It is perceived that the influence that has resulted in divorce acceptance is the freedom that characterizes a single life. Most of the women are seen as contented with life after divorce and would remain single for a given time. Indeed, there is general acceptance to divorce than in the American context. Possibly, the American uses the inspiration of the book and applies it in the relationship. Also, the gender roles are more pronounced in the American culture compared to the Chinese, who think that these domestic roles should not be distinct.
Reactions to the Response between Chinese and American People
As depicted in the book Eat, Pray, Love, there is a difference in the way American people react to responses compared to the Chinese people. The Chinese women think that their Marriages should be more liberal and responses that they get from other people should portray this liberalism. Actually, there is a common belief in China that discontent in marriage does not result in prosperity. There have been criticisms that the legal provisions that put one into such custody should be eliminated to allow a couple to quit their marriage at will. It means that the discontented party would have the freedom and time to look for a different soul mate. Most of the mature women in China are turning to date agencies to get their soul mate. Essentially, the Chinese women take advantage of the liberalized laws concerning marriage and the increase in the male population might have resulted in the shift in mind. In fact, China’s divorce laws are also liberalized, thereby giving freedom to divorce. The women strongly believe that a happy marriage result from meeting a perfect spouse, usually known as a soul mate. Indeed, the illusion is that meeting this person would guarantee one a happy life, not knowing that a joyful life normally results from a personal effort in marriage. According to the book, it is shown that only the reflection of an individual in a mirror could give the true soul mate. Thus, the true soul mate is oneself and may not be the apparent partner. On the other hand, the American women think that the American people do not have required passion in marriage, and may divorce their spouse at will. The divorce context in America significantly differs from that of the Chinese. In essence, lawyers are involved in the process of divorce. The legal terms of marriage are agreed upon and any dissolution of the same would follow the procedures outlined in the law.