Re-conceptualizing the ideal homes in rural China: an actor-network theory approach

The pursuit of ideal homes is a universal human desire. This paper shifts from traditional anthropocentric views of home to a relational ontology, recognizing home as a dynamic process involving human and non-human actors. The increasing dissatisfaction with urban life—driven by pollution, food safety concerns, homogenization, and the resulting anxieties—has led some urban Chinese to seek alternative homes in rural areas. This study uses Actor-Network Theory (ANT) to investigate this phenomenon, focusing on the complex interactions between urban-rural migrants and the diverse elements of the rural environment in shaping their ideal homes. The research aims to understand how these migrants adapt to rural life and how sustainability and recyclability are woven into the fabric of their new homes within the context of China's agrarian culture and modern technology.

Existing literature on home is reviewed from relational perspectives, highlighting its multidimensionality and the futility of searching for an essence. The concept of home is viewed as a process of establishing connections among material and social elements, creating relational order and allowing individuals to experience positive emotions and acquire specific identities. The literature emphasizes the importance of both human and non-human elements in shaping home. The study then explores the Chinese context of home, noting the traditional close relationship between homes and the natural environment, reflected in the philosophy of "Tian ren he yi" (man is an integral part of nature). Urbanization, however, has distanced modern homes from this natural connection. The review also points to the crucial role of social relations in traditional Chinese homes, which are now weakened by urbanization. The study notes a gap in existing research, which often overlooks non-human agency in homemaking processes. This motivates the use of ANT as an analytical framework.

This study employed a qualitative approach using ethnographic methods. Data were collected through 180 days of fieldwork (2017-2018) in W village, Minhou County, Fujian Province, China, involving in-depth interviews and participant observation within a self-sufficient eco-community. The eco-community was chosen as it provides a context where urban-rural migrants actively construct their ideal lifestyles. A second phase of data collection (2020) involved follow-up interviews with 10 participants via WeChat. Eighteen participants (8 female, 10 male), varying in their length of residency and backgrounds, were selected. The data was analyzed using Actor-Network Theory (ANT), focusing on five key actors: farmland, means of subsistence, technological facilities, urban-rural migrants, and local people. The ANT framework guided the identification of three key steps in the translation process: problem presentation, enrollment and benefit granting, and negotiation of obligatory passage points (OPPs).

The study reveals how farmland, a key non-human actor, influences the migrants' adaptation to rural life. Farming activities altered their daily routines and perceptions of their bodies and the environment, challenging their anthropocentric views. The 'enrollment' of migrants by the farmland involved changes in their thinking about hygiene standards and comfort, leading to a greater acceptance of the rural environment. The unpredictable nature of farming highlighted the need to adapt to natural laws, challenging the idealized, de-productive view of rural life often held by urbanites. The study also found that the means of subsistence, another key actor, plays a significant role in promoting recycling and ecological sustainability among migrants. The deep connection between farmland and subsistence in rural areas fosters an understanding of material circulation and waste reduction. Migrants actively participate in recycling waste, demonstrating a shift in values towards ecological sustainability. The Internet serves as a crucial non-human actor, connecting the ideal home network by facilitating communication, crowdfunding, media coverage, and collaboration with other ecological organizations. The research also highlights the complex relationship between migrants and local villagers, marked by conflicts over land rights and differing farming practices. Despite these challenges, migrants actively attempt to bridge these boundaries through sharing resources and promoting mutual understanding. Overall, the findings show the emergence of a sustainable and recyclable home network, blending traditional and modern elements, based on shared values and collective identity.

The findings address the research question by demonstrating the dynamic interplay between human and non-human actors in shaping ideal homes in rural China. The study successfully highlights the agency of non-human actors such as farmland, natural landscapes, and the internet in influencing the migrants’ lifestyles and values. The results support the conceptualization of home as an open-bounded relational process, where shared values and collective identity foster harmonious coexistence between various actors. The findings are relevant to the field by offering a nuanced understanding of rural migration and the construction of ideal homes in a rapidly changing socio-ecological context. The study re-conceptualizes the ideal home in rural China, highlighting the shift from kinship-based ties to shared values. The importance of technology in maintaining social connections and economic resilience is also emphasized.

This study contributes to the understanding of homemaking processes by showcasing the agency of both human and non-human actors using ANT. It demonstrates how a harmonious blend of traditional culture, ecological principles, and modern technology can shape sustainable rural homes. However, the persistent conflicts related to land rights highlight the need for future research to investigate the role of government policies in resolving such tensions and promoting more equitable and sustainable development in rural areas. Further research should also examine the long-term sustainability of these eco-communities and explore the potential for replication in other contexts.

The study's geographical focus on a single eco-community in Fujian Province limits the generalizability of the findings to other rural areas in China. The relatively small sample size may also limit the representativeness of the results. The reliance on self-reported data may introduce bias in the participants' accounts of their experiences. The study acknowledges the limitations in data sharing due to the language barrier and the need to protect the participants' privacy.