Abstract：Chinese families have changed significantly since the start of the reforms and opening-up in the past forty years． Based on an historical review of research on families in the past decades and the data from China Statistical Yearbooks and censuses，this paper discusses the five dimensions of the trajectory of changes in Chinese families． The author finds that the forming of family has been delayed，the scale of family has been downsized，the structure of family is becoming more diversified，and family relationships are more democratic and equal，although family-based risks are also growing． Modernization as a driving force of family changes together with the state's intervention in changing family life，especially the rigorous family planning policy，has a profound impact on Chinese families．There are debates about the trend of changes in families． Nevertheless，the frequently mentioned“family crisis”and the factor of family frequently reinforced in migration，remind us that we need to re-inspect the relationship between the state，the family and individuals， and improve the system of family policy to prevent the spread of family crisis．
