Shanghai's Housing Policy: The Hegemony of "Monogamy" Invades Citizens' Private Lifestyle
Fang Gang
Shanghai's real estate policy stipulates: adult unmarried children who co-sign the property deed with their parents cannot purchase a second house. In other words, unless they obtain a marriage certificate, they cannot own their own property. Many experts believe that the policy does not specify rigid demands such as property size and adopts a one-size-fits-all approach, which is unfair to unmarried adults who have the need to improve their living conditions. However, we find that this policy is actually a hegemonic policy dominated by the family model of "monogamous heterosexuals." Its hegemony is manifested in the infringement on the right to buy a house and the right to housing for those who do not choose to live by obtaining a marriage certificate. It appears to be an economic adjustment, but in reality, it severely interferes with citizens' private lifestyles.
First, it discriminates against homosexuals. Homosexuals marry people of the same sex, but the law does not permit it. Is this regulation forcing homosexuals to marry people of the opposite sex? Otherwise, they will forever live with their parents and cannot own their own property.
Second, it also discriminates against single heterosexuals. Not everyone likes marriage; many prefer to stay single but do not want to live with their parents. Under such regulations, they also have no right to buy a house.
Furthermore, it also discriminates against all other diverse choices regarding emotions and relationships, such as dating without getting married or just cohabiting, making independent home purchases impossible, etc.
This policy may appear to be merely an economic adjustment policy, but it highlights the inadequacy of our policymaking departments in recognizing the transformation of the modern society's "family" model and their lack of respect, or even ignorance, towards diversified lifestyles. Social public policies should meet the diverse needs of citizens. At least, they should not restrict or discriminate against certain lifestyles. Under this real estate policy, "monogamous heterosexuals" have become the only legitimate lifestyle because other lifestyles are at least "inconvenient."
Chinese society is entering an era of value pluralism, and human lifestyles are becoming increasingly diverse. The mainstream monogamous heterosexual relationship will not be the inevitable choice for everyone, but this real estate policy punishes those who do not make such a choice. This is extremely unjust.