Don’t wait for Mr Right, Chinese told
Young Chinese women have been urged to lower their sights in marriage and settle for a "more or less OK" partner rather than holding out for a soulmate.
The recommendation in state media is part of an official effort to increase the birth rate amid concern about a rapidly ageing population.
"Marriage is a process of tolerating each other, and it’s impossible that everything goes your way," said an editorial which first appeared in the regional party-run newspaper Sichuan Daily, and has since been distributed by the more influential People’s Daily.
"Change your attitude, return to the reality. Maybe there’ll be some imperfection, but your life will be full for it."
The government wants people anchored by family and sees the low birth rate as a potential source of instability.
Young women are being blamed for being too fussy about partners. Although educated and economically independent, women are sometimes referred to as "leftovers" if they have not married by their late twenties.
They have plenty of men to choose from, because China’s onechild policy, which was in effect until late 2015, has left the country with a gender imbalance that will result in 30 million bachelors over the coming three decades.
The editorial said: "A very important reason they have become the ’leftover’ is that they have idealised love and such idealisation has led many people not to settle for a ’more or less OK’ person. The ability to compromise on non-principle matters is a sign of magnanimity and contentment."
Marriage rates are declining, with the number of weddings down 6.7 per cent in 2016. The number of births fell by 630,000 in 2017, despite a relaxation of the rules which has allowed couples to have two children without penalty.
Beijing is concerned that this could turn into a labour shortage and make it hard to supporta growing elderly population.
The ruling party’s Youth League has been holding matchmaking events and one province has introduced a pilot project to subsidise wedding costs.