Immigrate to the United States to understandAmerican lifestyle perspectives: This is not a coincidence, as the tracking survey on this issue over the past 15 years has shown little variation, with a figure of 93% in 1995, slightly higher than now.
In this survey, when asked about the most important factors in choosing a spouse for a successful marriage, the responses were as follows: 49% chose respect, 37% chose trust, 10% chose humor, 2% chose sex, and 0% chose money.
The American perspective on family and marriage may surprise many Easterners, especially Chinese people. In contemporary China, when choosing a spouse, money and social status are among the top considerations.
As far back as twenty years ago, when I first arrived in the U.S. for a research visit at the "East-West Center" in Hawaii, I noticed the significant differences in spouse selection between China and the U.S.
Several American girls at the University of Hawaii mentioned that in finding a boyfriend, the first thing they look for is shared interests, such as love for travel, music, etc.; second, a sense of humor; and third, a well-built body, meaning fitness and strength.
At that time, I was astonished to hear this, as in China, young people prioritize family conditions and social status when looking for a partner. In contrast, American youth focus on interests, humor, and physical appearance, without mentioning money or status at all. This was my first experience of the "differences" between East and West while conducting research at the "East-West Center."
