Rising Cohabitation and Chinese Modernity: Flexible Intimacy and Persistent Marriage

China has witnessed rising cohabitation and robust marriage at the same time. This study uses a mixed-methods approach to examine perceptions of cohabitation and the linkage between cohabitation and marriage. Quantitative results suggest generally tolerant perceptions of cohabitation and more divided views about the delinking of cohabitation and marriage. Qualitative analyses illustrate that women embrace flexible intimacy to make the best marriage choice, while men try to link cohabitation and marriage to prove their economic capability and sexual responsibility.Under China's materialistic turn that enhances market risks and the state-supported intimate turn that privatizes family matters, this study illustrates the persisting gender inequalities in the institution of marriage and the unique forms of Chinese modernity with a combination of traditional expectations and individualistic desires.