1930-40년대 중국 화북농촌 가정의 ‘同居共財’ 구조와 운영 (The Structure and Operation of Rural Families' ‘Common Property of Cohabitants’ in North China during the 1930s and 1940s)

서지정보

· 발행기관 : 중국근현대사학회
· 수록지 정보 : 중국근현대사연구 / 98호 / 55 ~ 92페이지
· 저자명 : 손승희

초록

North China's rural society is considered as a very typical rural areas, characterized by low agricultural productivity and scarce land. The majority of farmers relied on small plots of land for their livelihood, with independent farmers constituting the vast majority within the agricultural class. Wealthy farmers mostly hired short-term and long-term workers for cultivation instead of offering tenancy. This led to difficulties in acquiring land for many farmers, resulting in an increase in short-term and long-term work near villages or resulting in rural migration of engaging in non-agricultural occupations. The socio-economic conditions, underdeveloped transportation, and low degree of commercialization in North China's rural areas influenced the formation of specific characteristics within rural families, including a higher proportion of large families compared to South China.
In the pre-modern period, North China rural families had an economic community structure that unified income and consumption, known as ‘Common Property of Cohabitants’. Family members contributed their income to a common account, which they used together and accumulated the rest as additional property. ‘Common Property of Cohabitants’ was run by the head of the family. The most important job of the head of the family was to manage and distribute income and consumption. In particular, the head of the family held an absolute position in the ‘Large family’ because they had the authority to manage and operate property, such as land and houses, which were directly related to the survival of family members.
Male blood relatives held shares in the common property and contributed to its formation and growth, while women held subordinate positions and did not directly contribute to the property's development. In addition, the system of ‘Common Property of Cohabitants’ had the principle that all income from labor was attributed to the common account, while a small amount of income obtained free of charge, not as a return for labor, was not included and belonged to the individual.
The ‘Common Property of Cohabitants’ was a structure in which all the income of the family members was handed over to the head of the family, and when necessary, it was received from the head of the family. When consuming, it was paid according to necessity regardless of the contribution of the family. The remaining income was accumulated in property and distributed equally to the brothers at the time of property division. This principle was extended even when a family member moved to another place and took another job.
However, gradually there were cases where these principles were not followed. For instance, individuals could use the money to purchase land in another region or retain a portion of the income instead of sending the entire amount to the family. This change indicates that the socio-economic transformations that occurred in North China during 1930s and 1940s also influenced the internal operation of the traditional ‘Common Property of Cohabitants’ system. It also seems to be related to the fact that the concept of rights to personal property was formed with the enforcement of the Civil Law. Although it cannot be said that these legal changes caused immediate changes in North china rural families, it seems to have shaken at least the traditional ‘Common Property of Cohabitants’ principle.

영어초록

North China's rural society is considered as a very typical rural areas, characterized by low agricultural productivity and scarce land. The majority of farmers relied on small plots of land for their livelihood, with independent farmers constituting the vast majority within the agricultural class. Wealthy farmers mostly hired short-term and long-term workers for cultivation instead of offering tenancy. This led to difficulties in acquiring land for many farmers, resulting in an increase in short-term and long-term work near villages or resulting in rural migration of engaging in non-agricultural occupations. The socio-economic conditions, underdeveloped transportation, and low degree of commercialization in North China's rural areas influenced the formation of specific characteristics within rural families, including a higher proportion of large families compared to South China.
In the pre-modern period, North China rural families had an economic community structure that unified income and consumption, known as ‘Common Property of Cohabitants’. Family members contributed their income to a common account, which they used together and accumulated the rest as additional property. ‘Common Property of Cohabitants’ was run by the head of the family. The most important job of the head of the family was to manage and distribute income and consumption. In particular, the head of the family held an absolute position in the ‘Large family’ because they had the authority to manage and operate property, such as land and houses, which were directly related to the survival of family members.
Male blood relatives held shares in the common property and contributed to its formation and growth, while women held subordinate positions and did not directly contribute to the property's development. In addition, the system of ‘Common Property of Cohabitants’ had the principle that all income from labor was attributed to the common account, while a small amount of income obtained free of charge, not as a return for labor, was not included and belonged to the individual.
The ‘Common Property of Cohabitants’ was a structure in which all the income of the family members was handed over to the head of the family, and when necessary, it was received from the head of the family. When consuming, it was paid according to necessity regardless of the contribution of the family. The remaining income was accumulated in property and distributed equally to the brothers at the time of property division. This principle was extended even when a family member moved to another place and took another job.
However, gradually there were cases where these principles were not followed. For instance, individuals could use the money to purchase land in another region or retain a portion of the income instead of sending the entire amount to the family. This change indicates that the socio-economic transformations that occurred in North China during 1930s and 1940s also influenced the internal operation of the traditional ‘Common Property of Cohabitants’ system. It also seems to be related to the fact that the concept of rights to personal property was formed with the enforcement of the Civil Law. Although it cannot be said that these legal changes caused immediate changes in North china rural families, it seems to have shaken at least the traditional ‘Common Property of Cohabitants’ principle.

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