For Chinese men, finding a partner has become a precarious struggle as there are approximately 30 million more men than women of 24-40 years old in China. Existing literature provides an insight...Show moreFor Chinese men, finding a partner has become a precarious struggle as there are approximately 30 million more men than women of 24-40 years old in China. Existing literature provides an insight into how this demographic reality affects men with a low social status, but how does China's younger generation of men deal with it? This thesis builds on data derived from interviews with eight male Chinese exchange students in the Netherlands. The data shows how my interviewees are willing to step out of the traditional path towards marriage, but are being held back by the consequences of China's demographic reality. The results should be considered with the limitations of this study, but despite these limitations, my research indicates the importance of researching China’s generation of younger middle to high-class men.Show less
According to many scholars, the Chinese media increasingly subjugates women and depicts them in relation to marriage, and by extension home and motherhood. Women who do not adhere to these ideals,...Show moreAccording to many scholars, the Chinese media increasingly subjugates women and depicts them in relation to marriage, and by extension home and motherhood. Women who do not adhere to these ideals, are stigmatized by the media. At the same time, the media bestows men with important social roles and expectations. In my research, I investigated whether single men and single women are indeed depicted according to different standards.Show less
The prevalent phenomena of "leftover women" has gained increasing attention from the media and different scholars in Chinese society. The term "leftover women" refers to urban and professional...Show moreThe prevalent phenomena of "leftover women" has gained increasing attention from the media and different scholars in Chinese society. The term "leftover women" refers to urban and professional women who remain unmarried by the time they are in their late twenties or early thirties. This phenomena frequently addresses questions pertaining to why such working women are not married, whether they are willing to marry and their attitudes towards marriage. The Chinese media has also produced many dramatic television series reflecting the situation and marital prospects of leftover women. Within the media, these women are stigmatised as money-worshipers, snobbish or picky. However, it has become evident that leftover women present themselves online as economically and spiritually independent entities who prefer compatibility over financial security in their romantic relationships. Upon comparing depictions of such women in the media to their self-representations, this paper makes a twofold argument: on one hand, media representations controlled by the dominant male discourse are criticising women for being money-oriented and picky so they become losers in the marriage market. On the other hand, women have realised their right to freely choose their own partners and decide when to get married. Hence, the discourse of leftover women actually represents a conflict between traditional patriarchy and potential burgeoning of a women's rights movement in the PRC.Show less
The purpose of this thesis is was establish how the revival of traditional gender norms by stigmatizing women’s leftover status, has influenced educated women (labeled Shengnü) in looking for a...Show moreThe purpose of this thesis is was establish how the revival of traditional gender norms by stigmatizing women’s leftover status, has influenced educated women (labeled Shengnü) in looking for a future partner online. It does this by analyzing women’s profiles on an online dating website and researches women’s self-presentation and criteria for mate selection in finding a heterosexual partner. It argues that highly educated women in the workforce (in Beijing) are influenced by societal pressures, and therefore downplay their achievements, hide information and/or lower their demands to attract a suitable mate. To verify this hypothesis, a content analysis was conducted on profiles of women residing in Beijing on the largest state-owned dating website in China, Jiayuan.com.Show less
The notion of marriage has always been considered an inevitable and indispensable life event. It is the social institution that either formalizes legally or in a religious ceremony the commitments,...Show moreThe notion of marriage has always been considered an inevitable and indispensable life event. It is the social institution that either formalizes legally or in a religious ceremony the commitments, whish or decision of a couple to lead a married life together and probably the promise to establish a family on their own. An old Chinese saying: ‘When boys and girls reach adulthood they should get married’, is a good way to illustrate the average thinking of Chinese society. The importance of marriage has its roots in the Confucian ideology and Chinese are obsessed with it. This refers particularly to the values that are attached to the continuation of the family line and filial piety. Marriage has always been promoted as the establishment of a family as the basic building block of Chinese society. There is very little space for an alternative lifestyle other than a married life; it is the norm in China. Marriage can then be considered as an ultimatum, and disapproves of those who choose to stay single. If you do not marry, you are basically not taken very seriously and considered immature. Outside of marriage are no alternatives easily recognized. Your behavior is labeled as if you are socially irresponsible.So views the Chinese government that severe sex ratio imbalance as a threat to social stability and harmony. In 2007 China’s State council started with a population policy improving the quality of the newborn population. In addition, The ACWF has determined a term; shengnü (剩女 / Leftover women), and was later officially recognized as a term by the Ministry of Education. Since then the government and state media started a campaign to discourage women to stay single or delaying their age of marriage. Women over 27 and single were branded as Leftover women.Show less
