ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the impact on rural clan culture and local clan communities brought by rapid urbanization and migrant workers upon entering the twentieth century. Shown by the survey data and observations, in general, the socioeconomic development represented by variables of occupation and time (as the indexes of urbanization and modernization) was a weakening force to traditions. Villagers with working experience in urban areas and respondents in the most recent surveys were more likely to embrace the new world. However, the role played by the above variables in weakening traditions should be analyzed carefully. Education, age, and other factors may also function in reducing traditional influence. Chinese characteristics are deeply engraved upon cultural changes in the investigated areas. Even if villagers have divested themselves of some clan traditions, most of them still stand on a series of traditional core values, including ancestors worship, filial piety, and loyalty, illustrating persistence and historical continuity of culture.
