THE RELATION OF MIGRATION TO CHANGING HOUSEHOLD HEADSHIP PATTERNS IN CHINA, 1982-1987

Radical changes in fertility, economic structure, and level of develop ment occurred in China between 1982 and 1987. Nonetheless, during this period family size remained relatively stable because the decline in household size due to lower fertility was offset by an increase in the number of adults. A major explanatory factor has been the government' s changing migration policies which led first to family fission and th en to fusion. Migration and household composition data from the 1982 c ensus of China and the 1987 National Sample Survey show that during sp ousal separation women often assumed the headship of their household, and in many instances retained it after the return of spouse. Since th is pattern is most pronounced in cities, we suggest that women's heads hip is related to changing norms that engender greater acceptance of e quality between the sexes. It also reflects pragmatic recognition that these women have developed their own important networks for the effic ient operation of their household. With the dramatic rise in migration in China resulting from the economic reform, household size and heads hip patterns are likely to continue to be affected by spousal separati on.