Like young people in large cities elsewhere, many Chinese youths are forgoing the traditional milestones of marriage and parenthood. Besides focusing more on personal well-being and individual needs, they are also becoming more pessimistic about the future. Here's what they have to say.
Marriage
Society
Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Chen Jing notes that even though the number of marriages in China rebounded last year, couples could be making up for avoiding getting married this year for various reasons. Will the marriage rate fall back down this year, despite calls from the authorities encouraging young people to get married and have families?
Society
As China’s tradition of giving red packets or hongbaos during festive occasions puts young people under pressure, they are pushing back by giving fewer hongbaos or none at all, hoping that their refusal to conform will help to bring the focus back to the sentiment behind the giving.
Society
As youths in China come into their own, they are finding their own ways to make connections. The latest trend is seeking activity buddies, or dazi culture, which offers companionship based on common interests and needs.
Culture
Shivaji Das and Yolanda Yu, an interracial couple and the authors of Rebels, Traitors, Peacemakers: True Stories of Love and Conflict in Indian-Chinese Relationships, share their thoughts and findings of their time collecting stories on the lives of Indian-Chinese couples.
Society
Even as Chinese parents and the Chinese government are encouraging — and pressuring — young people to get married and have children, an increasing number of young people are more aware of themselves and what they want to get out of relationships, and are saying no to simply getting married for the sake of it.
Society
Several media reports of Hong Kong star Kathy Chow’s passing seemed to have highlighted the fact that she was living alone. Advertently, her death has sparked off discussions about the rise of Chinese living alone and the stigma and policy challenges behind the trend. Lianhe Zaobao’s China Desk examines the issue.
Society
Local governments in Chinese cities are taking extra measures to encourage couples to marry early and have children. However, given the youth’s shifting values and society’s tolerance for singlehood, these measures are falling short. Meanwhile, netizens are lamenting that government policies should not be coercive or objectify women.
Society
Currently in China, assisted reproductive technology (ART) can only be applied to married couples with infertility issues. Social egg freezing (SEF) is prohibited in most regions of China, except Jilin province. The case of Xu Zaozao, a single lady who sought to freeze her eggs, has cast more attention on this issue. Chinese academic Lorna Wei points out that even as women advocate for the right to decide if she would like to freeze her eggs, they may be stuck in a continuing patriarchal trap.