Marriage in Western civilization has evolved into a more nontraditional union as oppose to marriage in countries like China. Marriage in China is a union that benefits both spouses and extended family, providing financial support and security to both. In a recent article for Women in the World, Eveline Chao compares marriage in China to that of a business merger, largely because most husbands and wives often go into business with one another. From mom and pop shops to big e-commerce companies, like DangDang, it's not at all uncommon in China to see husbands and wives running companies together.
So why aren't husband/wife run corporations a trend in America? Chao suggests the huge economic boom in China may have attributed to the partnership, stating companies like DangDang started small and grew quickly with the help of China's exploding economy. Additionally, women are largely excluded in corporate America, evident in both their under-representation and the gender wage gap. Of course, mixing marriage and business can get complicated, Wu Yajun, once the richest woman and chairwoman of Longfor Properties, lost 40% of her shares when she divorced her husband.
It's indisputable that the union of marriage in China still upholds traditional values as well as other conservative norms, Chao mentions Chinese culture still looks down on women who consume alcohol and cigarettes. So are husband/wife corporations a traditional or modern practice? If modern, why aren't more American women going into business with their husbands?
Perhaps, husband/wife collaborations could be a solution to the gender wage gap and under-representation of females in corporate America or maybe it will continue to foster the belief that women cannot succeed on their own. One thing is certain, mixing business and pleasure is a gamble either way.
Read more on husband and wife business mergers in China at Women in the World
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