China's 'leftover women' choosing to stay single

[mota bhai 2,675]

Beijing (CNN) -- After years of being badgered by her parents to get married, 26-year-old Zhang Yu finally had enough.

"I have decided never to marry or have a child," said Zhang, a university graduate from Changsha, Hunan province, who moved to Shanghai earlier this year to escape her family and jumpstart her career.

Zhang's vow to never marry is rare in a country where educated women are constantly told by their families, friends and the state media that they will be lonely and miserable if they do not find a husband quickly.

Zhang had been living with her parents in Hunan to save money after obtaining her college degree, and for a time, fell sway to her parents' worries that she would become a "leftover woman" (or "shengnv" in Chinese,) officially defined as an urban, educated woman over age 27 who is single.

But upon reading feminist websites, she came to believe the term existed to make women return to the home.

She then took a risk by moving to Shanghai without a job and leaving the comforts of home for a dorm room shared with nine other roommates. But she loves her new friends and sense of freedom.

"Men are still thinking in the old ways, but women's values have evolved. I feel very relaxed now," said Zhang, who just received a sales job offer.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/18/world/asia/on-china-single-women-leta-hong-fincher/

[Jacque67 7,328]

Same thing happening in Japan.

Men. Who needs them (except if one wants a child)

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Meanwhile, sales of shower massagers are up, while "C" and "N" batteries are in short supply.

[Jacque67 7,328]

BTW I think RUB women get a raw deal with some of the postings of some Americans on this site. Hence my not voting. I would love to hear a RUB females' true perspective on this site without interference from her USC husband's interference.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Dude, why do you care what some female has to say?

[Jacque67 7,328]

Dude, why do you care what some female has to say?

Because I want to bed them?

[TBoneTX 45,308]

The third poll choice is hilarious, hee hee man.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I had dinner last night with a friend visiting from Hong Kong, where she was brought up until the age of 14 and has returned to as an adult for work. She and her German boyfriend had just gotten engaged, and apparently when he asked her dad for permission to marry her, her dad said, "She's 39. Are you sure you want to marry her? She's old and has cats."

Dude, why do you care what some female has to say?

Why should I care what some idiot male creature has to say?

[mota bhai 2,675]

Because I want to bed them?

bed?

the word you're looking for starts with f and ends with k.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

bed?

the word you're looking for starts with f and ends with k.

Frack?

Fink?

Flick?

It must be flick.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

She then took a risk by moving to Shanghai without a job and leaving the comforts of home for a dorm room shared with nine other roommates. But she loves her new friends and sense of freedom.

"Men are still thinking in the old ways, but women's values have evolved. I feel very relaxed now," said Zhang, who just received a sales job offer.

It is always the outliers that strike out against the conventional that move society forward.

[GandD 5,966]

I need to see a pic of this chick before I can vote.

[Karee 4,190]

I need to see a pic of this chick before I can vote.

I was thinking the same thing, but didn't want to post that. I don't want to ruin my stellar reputation around here.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I was thinking the same thing, but didn't want to post that. I don't want to ruin my stellar reputation around here.

Editor's note: Leta Hong Fincher, featured on this month's episode of "On China," is a scholar on Chinese women issues at Tsinghua University.The names of interviewees in this article have been changed to protect their privacy.

[GandD 5,966]

I was thinking the same thing, but didn't want to post that. I don't want to ruin my stellar reputation around here.

I mean, physical attraction has something to do with dating you know.