Chinese facing shortage of wives

[almaty 19]

China will have 30 million more men of marriageable age than women by 2020, making it difficult for them to find wives, according to a national report.

The gender imbalance could lead to social instability, the report by the State Population and Family Planning Commission warned.

It found that around 118 boys were born to every 100 girls in 2005.

A traditional preference for boys, in a country with a one-child policy, is the root of the problem, the report says.

Abortions on female foetuses are believed to be widespread as couples, particularly in rural areas, hope for a son who will look after them in their old age.

There is also suspected under-reporting of female births.

'Embrace girls'

The report said the 118 to 100 ratio of newborn boys to girls had jumped from 110 to 100 recorded in 2000.

In some areas of southern China, such as Guangdong and Hainan, the figure was 130 boys to 100 girls in 2005.

China fears bachelor future

Nationwide this means there will be 30 million more men than women by 2020, making it difficult for those particularly with low income or little education to find a wife, the report said.

"The increasing difficulties men face finding wives may lead to social instability," the report said.

The report went on: "We need to develop a 'movement to embrace girls'... and effectively contain the trend towards greater gender imbalances."

The report also said that China's current 1.3 billion population would grow by 200 million by 2033.

And the number of 60-year-olds and over will jump from the current 143 million to 430 million by 2040, 30% of the total population.

The country will need to improve its social security and retirement system, as well as its family planning policies and education and health services, the report concludes.

The BBC's Daniel Griffiths, in BBC, says the one-child policy has already led to other major problems, with many single children facing the prospect of supporting two parents and four grandparents well into their old age.

[Jasman0717 9]

Let's get that VJ site up in China

[almaty 19]

Let's get that VJ site up in China

you know it brother jim./...there $$$ to be made in match making there..

Jim and Dean's mail order husbands..direct from china to your home..works for cherry blossom

[cbd2cai 0]

Don't make me hit you with a shoe!!!

[Yodrak 7]

almaty,

I've read that there is a similar problem already in existence in some provinces of India. The preference for sons, modern ultra-sound technology, and relatively easy abortion has resulted is a situation that did not become apparent until the sons started looking around for wives and suddenly realized there were no girls next door.

Whoops!

Should drive up the cost of the dowry in a free market. Might also get some guys shot, and not for their iPods or Air Jordans.

Yodrak

China will have 30 million more men of marriageable age than women by 2020, making it difficult for them to find wives, according to a national report.

The gender imbalance could lead to social instability, the report by the State Population and Family Planning Commission warned.

.....

Edited January 12, 2007 by Yodrak

[LaL 418]

i saw a documentary about this! some have been stealing little girls for their son's to grow up and marry later on in life! They also covered the fact that the orphanages are still pretty packed with little baby girls just waiting for American couples to adopt. Interesting dynamic.

[Jasman0717 9]

Let's get that VJ site up in China

you know it brother jim./...there $$$ to be made in match making there..

Jim and Dean's mail order husbands..direct from china to your home..works for cherry blossom

Actually I was thinking of going the other direction, from West to East! Seems like there would be a opportunity for someone

[Caladan 19]

I'm trying to imagine the ad copy 'selling' American men to Chinese women.

Apropos of very little, that is.

[JelloShotGirl 0]

aww! cute! Chinese guys are cute! awwwwwwwwwwwwww!

[peejay 327]

China will have 30 million more men of marriageable age than women by 2020...

Sounds like its never been a better time to be a gayboy...or a high priced hooker.

[almaty 19]

China will have 30 million more men of marriageable age than women by 2020...

Sounds like its never been a better time to be a gayboy...or a high priced hooker.

so true....

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The solution is so obvious. Take all those contestants from "Who Wants To Marry A Millionaire", put them in a catalog, and sell it to wealthy Chinese businessmen.

[cbd2cai 0]

The solution is so obvious. Take all those contestants from "Who Wants To Marry A Millionaire", put them in a catalog, and sell it to wealthy Chinese businessmen.

What about from "Beauty and the Geek"??? Some of those woman need a place to go!!

Edited January 13, 2007 by cbd2cai

[ladybutterfly 0]

Mind, who would want to marry a short little chinese man?!? Out of all the men in this world, chinese men have to be the most unattractive!

[deathbydalbhat 0]

Mind, who would want to marry a short little chinese man?!? Out of all the men in this world, chinese men have to be the most unattractive!

I had a crush on a Chinese guy in college, and I'm only 5'3" myself so have no problem with the short guys. I saw some real hotties when I was in China in '05. Ironically for me, in a country of shorties(Nepal, where the average height is 5'3") I end up with a relatively tall guy(not sure how tall, but you can see from our pic)...

So, fortunately not everyone shares the same taste in guys

The Chinese language, OTOH, has to be the least sexy/romantic in the world, along with German. I can't imagine whispering sweet nothings in Mandarin!

Edited January 14, 2007 by deathbydalbhat