性別越來越平等時代，如何看待童養媳這個曾經的歷史角色？目前童養媳對老一輩的客家長者來說，就是「苦命與悲情」的代表。但對於Y世代年輕人來說，「童養媳」是陌生的名詞，也是一種難以想像的社會現象。而客家族群是父系、父權社會，客家男性有祭拜及照顧父母之責，相對男性有財產繼承權及牌位祭祀權。客家族群對於客家女性皆是不友善對待，認為女性無法傳宗接代、無價值，所以客家女性面對財產繼承問題時，宗族中會有長輩出來勸退，而客家男性面對拋棄一事，也認為理所當然。 日治時期戶口調查簿提供了童養媳制度的重要法律與社會證據，從中可以釐清『媳婦仔』與『養女』的身分界線。認識客家「媳婦仔」和「養女」的親屬制度，雖然二者的身分皆以收養為目的，二者的性質、關係和身分地位卻不盡相同，導致日後的婚姻與收養、婚姻與祭祀夫妻關係來說明「媳婦仔」和「養女」之間的複雜性。 本研究主田調觀察桃園市大溪區南興里的陳姓家族為研究首例，再收集桃、竹、苗地區，目前還存在的客家童養媳及養女長者，以田野訪談、親友、客家耆老的論述，貼近生命史敘事的方式，以試圖還原這些童養媳長者當時，在社會制度與家族權力結構中的心路歷程。同時，將聚焦於「童養媳」和「養女」身分上的區分，以及她們在這個特殊婚姻內的情況。;In an era of increasing gender equality, how should we view the historical role of adopted daughters “tongyangxi” In the past, they were often seen as symbols of suffering and sorrow. However, younger generations now see “Tongyangxi” not only as a title but as an imagined social construct. With modern education and greater financial independence, women today are less likely to accept traditional family structures or gender-based expectations. In traditional Hakka families, male heirs were favored for inheritance and ancestral worship rights, while women were often excluded. This resulted in tension, especially regarding adopted daughters’ rights. Legal and social records from the Japanese colonial period help us understand the distinction between “adopted daughters” and “brides-to-be” in terms of family relationships and inheritance, which often led to later disputes in marriage and property. This study focuses on the Chen family in Taoyuan, using field research and interviews to explore how “tongyangxi” and “adopted daughters” are viewed today, and how their identities affect family and marital relationships.
