Gender, Dating and Violence in Urban China

"Gender, Dating and Violence in Urban China is a tour de force. With a passionate feminist eye, Xiying Wang lays out the everyday, seemingly 'trivial' forms of violence that infuse heterosexual dating relationships in urban China today. Her complex analysis demonstrates how everything from the ongoing rapid socio-economic transformations in China, changing gender and sexual norms and ideals, the often inseparable relationship of love and violence, and gender inequality in China fuel dating violence. A well written, well researched study that will inspire a public conversation." - Lisa Rofel, Professor, Department of Anthropology, Co-Director, Center for Emerging Worlds, University of California, Santa Cruz

"In this courageous and important book, scholar-activist Xiying Wang, a pioneer in the study of dating violence in China, takes us inside the intimate relationships of young Chinese to see the dark underside of the nation’s celebrated “romantic revolution.” Through first-hand portraits of “sassy girls,” “tender boys,” and other surprising subjects, she challenges the myths surrounding Chinese sexuality, offering a theory of Chinese intersectionality to explain how individuals navigate their sexual worlds. In charting the human costs of China’s unfinished gender and sexual revolutions, Wang delivers what is at once a compelling academic study and a feminist call to action." - Susan Greenhalgh, Professor, Department of Anthropology, Harvard University

"Gender, Dating and Violence in Urban China is a compelling read and offers many important insights on violence in heterosexual dating culture in contemporary China. It is thoroughly recommended for anyone interested in learning more about gender, sexuality, love and violence in urban China today." - Séagh Kehoe is a PhD candidate at the School of Politics and International Relations, University of Nottingham

"Her book on Gender, Dating and Violence in Urban China goes... well beyond that provocative topic itself. Being informed by a Chinese feminist perspective and well versed in Western feminist literature, she questions and undermines with her findings a set of assumptions people usually connect with gender relations
in China." - Bonnie S. McDougall is Honorary Associate in the School of Languages and Cultures at The University of Sydney, specializing in modern Chinese literature and translation studies.

"Overall, the book gives a vivid picture of Beijing dating life as a highly competitive and unpredictable ground, where young people in general, and young women in particular, daily deal with strict social and economic necessity, emotional paradox and moral dilemma. ... recommended reading for anyone concerned with issues of gender equality in China." - Robert Zavoretti, University of Cologne.