The Effects of Man's Remarriage and Adoption on Family Succession in the 17(th) to the 19(th) Century Rural Korea: Based on the Andong Kwon Clan Genealogy

Abstract

Based on the demographic data from the Andong Kwon clan genealogies, the rates of men's remarriage reached a peak in the late 17,1, century but it gradually fell afterwards. Men's remarriage was no longer considered as an effective means of having a legitimate son. On the other hand, having too many legitimate sons could cause a risk of degrading the family's financial strength and social status. o control the risk. In the mean time, The rates of adoption increased beginning in the late 17(th) century and soared in the 19(th) century. People were giving up on their efforts to have a legitimate son and instead making an attempt to maintain the family's social status and financial means through a kyeja. As the only son, the adopted heir could inherit the family's property all alone and the rest of his family members at his original home could control the dispersion of the family's financial resources caused by the continued practice of the partible inheritance. Especially under the situation where the social status and financial strength of the high class was getting weaker in the 19(th) century, the distribution of property through adoption helped stabilize the household economy.