VILLAGE GOVERNMENT IN CHINA, 1933
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result. Because sons only can carry on the ancestral line, they have become the great desiderata of the family. The urgency of this desire for male offspring has been responsible, at least in some measure, for the great overpopulation of the country.
Besides its emphasis on the importance of males, ancestor worship has influenced village government in other ways. In common with religion generally it is an extremely conservative force, constantly reinforcing the traditional way of doing things. It is a form of practice also which favors the aged. The aged are soon to become ancestors: soon to become powerful spirits, and therefore must constantly be honored. The ceremonials of worship, moreover, do much to enhance the position of him who sacrifices, and this individual is always the oldest living male descendant of the group of ancestors being worshipped. Kulp goes so far, indeed, as to state that in the course of time old men have built up the customs, regulations and practices of worship that have reinforced their own status.2 The ceremonials also do much to make every member keenly, visually conscious of his own position and rank in the blood group. This is a psychological factor of no little importance in the maintenance of both family and village discipline.
This very general discussion of the filial piety-ancestor worship culture pattern indicates the intimate connection between this ethico-religious complex and village government itself. For, as has been frequently pointed out, the whole trend is toward support of the customary authority of the leaders of the family and the village. The strength of this support is entirely dependent upon the strength of the filial piety-ancestor worship complex. Up until very recently there has been no force in any branch of society which could rival it; the leaders of the Nationalist government, while realizing that the influence of ancestor worship is in direct opposition to their own ideals, have dared to do no more, in framing their fundamental civil code, than to attempt to disregard it.
It is very evident that there is some compelling force making for reproduction—a force superior to the dire effects of overpopulation and the pitiful economic poverty of the masses. This force is the necessity of providing sufficient male children so that, in spite of the ravages of disease, accident, wars, pestilence, or famine, at least one will survive to carry on the family name and perform the necessary duties required by ancestor worship—the universal religion of China.Mallory; op. cit., p. 88. It is the writer's belief that no basic remedy for famine can be effected until this concept has been broken.
2 Kulp; op. cit., p. 306.