In China, parents of unmarried individuals are taking on the role of matchmakers in response to a marriage crisis and declining birth rates. This unique approach involves real-life dating gatherings for single adults, reminiscent of popular dating apps.
Every Friday and Saturday morning, eager grandparents-to-be converge at a hilltop park in a southwestern Chinese city for “xiangqin jiao,” essentially a marriage market. Armed with paper résumés detailing key attributes of their adult children, the crowd is predominantly made up of retirees seeking potential matches.
The résumés typically feature essential information such as gender, age, height, occupation, and sometimes controversial details like weight and income. For instance, one profile at the Chongqing marriage market specified strict criteria for a spouse, including height, weight, age, and financial status.
The historical context of China’s one-child policy, initiated in 1979 to curb population growth, continues to impact marriage dynamics. The policy’s repeal in 2015 has led to a gender imbalance, favoring women due to better educational opportunities for single daughters.
As the government now encourages more births through childcare subsidies, the marriage market serves as a platform for individuals like Zhang Jing, a 34-year-old sales professional, who struggle to find partners meeting their standards of financial stability and homeownership.
Participants like Huang Weiming, a 36-year-old marketer, share their profiles at these markets, highlighting personal attributes and preferences. Despite societal pressures and expectations, some, like Huang, express frustration with the rigid partner criteria and the prevalence of negative online content influencing dating decisions.
While success stories are rare, these marriage markets continue to draw crowds across various cities in China, providing a forum for social interaction among retirees and a space for open discussions about the challenges of finding a suitable life partner.