貞節作為清代國家、士人世界提倡的主流價值，堪稱女性道德之極致。當道者倡導貞節，意在期許寡婦於夫亡之後，成為家庭的支柱，以撫孤成立而翁姑得其養。準此，守節寡婦的重責大任即在養親、撫孤，以使丈夫有後。與此同時，官方律法賦予節婦財產權、子女權，以鼓勵她們矢志不移，持家不墜。 然而，在國家所賦予的權益之外，「守節與否」似非寡婦自身主觀意願所能決定的選擇。本文將以人口結構及婦女生活空間為切入點，申述清代寡婦面臨家外世界無賴棍徒綁架、逼嫁的威脅。政府當道並未能提供安全的社會環境，以使婦女安心守節。清代社會瀰漫的搶孀逼嫁、拐賣之風，與寡婦守節之「困境」間，實存在互為循環的弔詭。

Chastity was a mainstream value patronized by the Qing state and gentry, who considered it the apex of female morals. The official version of chastity saw the widow as a pillar of her family. A chaste widow's main responsibilities consisted of taking care of her parents-in-law and children after the death of her husband. The authorities permitted widows the right to own property, power over their children, and encouraged them to remain steadfast in their chastity. Despite the rights conferred by the state, the decision of whether or not to remain chaste remained personal. The sources reveal information about the demographic structure and the spaces of women's lives, and describe the threats faced by Qing widows, such as kidnap and forced remarriage. These show that Qing authorities were unable to provide a safe social environment that would allow widows to maintain their chastity without worry. Forced remarriage, the sale of widows, and the difficulties of widow chastity were components of paradoxical interactive cycle in Qing society.