A growing movement of young women in China is embracing a future without marriage or children, presenting a challenge to the government. These women, like a 28-year-old feminist in Xian, express concerns about the sacrifices women traditionally make in marriage and the challenges of pursuing personal fulfillment in today’s society.
President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Qiang have emphasized the importance of marriage and childbearing, but a rising number of educated women are choosing to remain single. China’s single population reached a record high in 2021, with many women expressing no intention to marry.
While marriage is still considered a significant milestone, many Chinese are delaying marriage, with the average age of first marriage rising. Feminist activists see the rejection of marriage and childbirth as a form of resistance against patriarchal norms, particularly as feminist activism is restricted in China.
Online communities of single women are growing, with hashtags like “No marriage, no children” gaining popularity on social media platforms. Many women cite self-exploration, disillusionment with traditional family dynamics, and difficulties finding supportive male partners as reasons for their decision to remain single and childless.
The imbalance between highly educated women and men in China, along with evolving attitudes toward gender equality, contributes to the trend of women choosing to remain single. While not all women see themselves as feminist or deliberately defying the government, their actions reflect a broader trend of female empowerment through personal choices. However, this trend could pose challenges to China’s demographic goals in the long run.