Vietnam Observes Chinese Case of Remarriage, Reflecting on Family Dynamics

A case in China's Henan province, where a daughter facilitated the remarriage of her biological mother to her former father-in-law, is drawing attention in Vietnam, sparking discussions on family dynamics and traditional ethics. In this instance, Ms. Chen, the daughter, married in 2018. Her mother had divorced when Ms. Chen was just over a year old, while Ms. Chen's father-in-law had been living alone since his son was five months old, after his first wife died in a traffic accident. Driven by filial piety, Ms. Chen and her husband conceived the idea of matchmaking for their kind-hearted father-in-law and her mother, hoping they would find companionship in their old age. Initially, Ms. Zheng, Ms. Chen's mother, was hesitant to remarry due to concerns about public opinion. However, after repeated persuasion from their children, the couple gradually opened up to each other and registered their marriage in 2021. This union has now lasted for nearly five years. According to Ms. Chen, this family structure has completely eliminated traditional mother-in-law/daughter-in-law conflicts. "My biological mother becoming my mother-in-law has made it comfortable for me to confide in her," she said. Her father-in-law described the relationship as one where "those who were close have become even closer." Chinese law prohibits marriage between direct blood relatives or collateral relatives within three degrees of kinship. However, Ms. Chen's mother and her father-in-law developed an in-law relationship through their children's marriage, with no blood ties between them. Both were single and voluntarily entered into marriage, ensuring its legality. On social media, the story has received mixed reactions. Some have praised Ms. Chen's thoughtfulness in prioritizing her parents' happiness in their later years. Others have expressed concerns that this family structure disrupts traditional morality and could create complex appellations for future generations of grandchildren. In Vietnam, as the diversification of family structures and the balance with traditional values are being discussed as social issues, this Chinese case offers insights into the nature of family in contemporary times.