Introduction and Definition
LEFTOVER WOMEN is a novel term popped up in China which is to describe the middle-aged unmarried women. They share several common features (“Teaching”, 2010): THREE HIGH: high QUALIFICATION, HIGH WAGE, and HIGH AGE.
These women are challenged to be wastes in the society.
Are they really worth criticized by people
OR
they actually need our consideration?
Are they really worth criticized by people
OR
they actually need our consideration?
How people view leftover women? In male views...
-Nine out of 10 men in China think women should get married before 27
-60% say the ideal time for women to get married is 25-27
-only 1% believe that the best age for a woman to get married is 31-35
A graphic depiction of "leftover women" from the All-China Women's Federation
-60% say the ideal time for women to get married is 25-27
-only 1% believe that the best age for a woman to get married is 31-35
A graphic depiction of "leftover women" from the All-China Women's Federation
Criticism?
|
黃金剩女版
|
Leftover women are criticized to be too materialistic. According to the report from The Committee of Match-making Service Industries, China Association of Social Workers, & Baihewang (2012), the high standards that women have on men astonished everyone. 68.3% of them preferred their partners to own a flat and about 30% think that male is not suitable to start a relationship unless they earn 10,000RMB or more per month.
Moreover, middle-aged women are too dependent and demanding (“Unveil”,2010) in males’ eyes they might refrain from starting relationship with those women. Thus, this group of women remains single and is called "leftover".
Moreover, middle-aged women are too dependent and demanding (“Unveil”,2010) in males’ eyes they might refrain from starting relationship with those women. Thus, this group of women remains single and is called "leftover".
Leftover women issue is said to bring negative influence to the society
Social impacts
Low marriage rate might lead to social instability
If the society has too many people remained single, it might lead to social instability. It is because government usually uses “a family” as a unit to manage people in the society, which helps connect people together and prevent the society from being too diverse.
The incidents of male crimes might also increase. It is because singlemales might commit violent or sex crime as a way to relieve their (sexual) desires (Greenhalgh, 2012).
Low marriage rate might lead to social instability
If the society has too many people remained single, it might lead to social instability. It is because government usually uses “a family” as a unit to manage people in the society, which helps connect people together and prevent the society from being too diverse.
The incidents of male crimes might also increase. It is because singlemales might commit violent or sex crime as a way to relieve their (sexual) desires (Greenhalgh, 2012).
Cultural impacts
i. Change in the meaning of marriage In the past, females might consider love and commitment as the most important component in a relationship with males. However, according to The Committee of Match-making Service Industries, China Association of Social Workers, & Baihewang (2012), women now give same important focus on the financial ability of males as love. The original indicator of a sustainable marriage has changed into something which both love and money are essential to maintain a life-long relationship. |
ii. General image of females worsened
Traditional women are considered as polite and patient whereas the recent performance of leftover women worsens the impression in the society towards middle-aged women. As the leftover women request for unreasonable treatments from and supreme control over men, new terms like arrogant, materialistic and picky (“Who”, 2010) are used to describe them. People might apply this negative perspective generally to all middle-aged unmarried women and might disturb their social life. |
Economic impacts
i. Low fertility rate worsen the demographic crises
Leftover women issue would worsen the demographic crises that China is facing now, shrink in population size and ageing population, as less children are born. Besides, it would lead the decrease in labour force also which put China, the World Factory which creates an amazing economic legend, in risk of economic recession.
ii. Increase the social welfare burden of the government
As no husband or child to take care of leftover women when they get old, the only sector that they could rely on is the government.This might increase the financial burden of the government thereby the whole society for the healthcare welfare and pension provided to leftover women.
i. Low fertility rate worsen the demographic crises
Leftover women issue would worsen the demographic crises that China is facing now, shrink in population size and ageing population, as less children are born. Besides, it would lead the decrease in labour force also which put China, the World Factory which creates an amazing economic legend, in risk of economic recession.
ii. Increase the social welfare burden of the government
As no husband or child to take care of leftover women when they get old, the only sector that they could rely on is the government.This might increase the financial burden of the government thereby the whole society for the healthcare welfare and pension provided to leftover women.
Seeing that lots of adverse effects are brought by leftover women, they are criticized seriously in the society and sometimes they are forced to have arranged marriage.
Sympathy?
Factors that contribute to the rise of leftover women:
1. Individualism and awareness of rights
Due to a low degree of fatalism and individual equality (Lau, 1988) as well as heightened awareness of their rights, women in China have been able to choose in term of love and marriage (Wang, 2011).
2. Improved economic status of women and change in the meaning of marriage
With equal opportunity to education and job market, women become financially independent and no longer have to rely on men for livelihood. They are looking for soul mates and true love.
3. Shift of life goal of women
From being traditionally family-oriented, women in China are increasing achievement-focused. They relish acquiring knowledge in higher education gain and sense of fulfillment from career. Marriage is no longer a benchmark for happiness.
4. Men tend to “marry down”
Chinese men prefer to“marry down” in terms of age and educational attainment (Simpson, 2013). Due to their mate selecting criteria, highly educated women often end up with no suitable partner.
Due to a low degree of fatalism and individual equality (Lau, 1988) as well as heightened awareness of their rights, women in China have been able to choose in term of love and marriage (Wang, 2011).
2. Improved economic status of women and change in the meaning of marriage
With equal opportunity to education and job market, women become financially independent and no longer have to rely on men for livelihood. They are looking for soul mates and true love.
3. Shift of life goal of women
From being traditionally family-oriented, women in China are increasing achievement-focused. They relish acquiring knowledge in higher education gain and sense of fulfillment from career. Marriage is no longer a benchmark for happiness.
4. Men tend to “marry down”
Chinese men prefer to“marry down” in terms of age and educational attainment (Simpson, 2013). Due to their mate selecting criteria, highly educated women often end up with no suitable partner.
<大齡文藝女青年之歌>
From this funny song, it tells us that... 1)Marriage is a matter of two opposite sexes, but not decided by one person. Men also have the responsibility. 2)Single women are not that materialistic as portrayed by the society. They view marriage as a pure way to find a soul mate instead of financial support. 3)Incomplete gender revolution still exists. Women's role in family like cooking and childbearing is greater and is confronting their pursuit of personal goals, such as career achievement. |
|
Gender inequality still exists in modern China
Despite women have caught up with men in areas of access to education and labour force participation, gender revolution is never complete. Distorted beliefs concerning marital status give rise to unfair treatment to women.
The connotation of “leftover women”, no matter in Chinese or English, is pejorative. When single women in late 20 are considered unwanted goods, unmarried men in late 20 or even 30 are regarded as diamond bachelors. Societal expectation is harsh for women, whereas the general public is more lenient to men. The term “leftover” conveys a miserable message to women that no matter how talented and competent you are, you are doomed to be shameful if you cannot find a man to marry with you.
The role of government in fuelling the debate over leftover women is pivotal. Coined by a Communist Party-founded organisation - All-China Women’s Federation in 2007, “leftover women” was added its official lexicon by Ministry of Education. The motive of the authorities to discriminate single women is suspected to political reasons – solving “unprecedented population pressures”. In an attempt to solve the problem of imbalance sex-ratio as a result of one-child policy and the low quality of general population, single young women are degraded by emotion-stirring articles and convinced to give up ambitious career goal for early marriage and birth giving.
The connotation of “leftover women”, no matter in Chinese or English, is pejorative. When single women in late 20 are considered unwanted goods, unmarried men in late 20 or even 30 are regarded as diamond bachelors. Societal expectation is harsh for women, whereas the general public is more lenient to men. The term “leftover” conveys a miserable message to women that no matter how talented and competent you are, you are doomed to be shameful if you cannot find a man to marry with you.
The role of government in fuelling the debate over leftover women is pivotal. Coined by a Communist Party-founded organisation - All-China Women’s Federation in 2007, “leftover women” was added its official lexicon by Ministry of Education. The motive of the authorities to discriminate single women is suspected to political reasons – solving “unprecedented population pressures”. In an attempt to solve the problem of imbalance sex-ratio as a result of one-child policy and the low quality of general population, single young women are degraded by emotion-stirring articles and convinced to give up ambitious career goal for early marriage and birth giving.
Tradition and customs still prevail in the country. Chinese culture attaches great significance to progeny and establishing family (Li, 2011). Family pressure on unmarried daughters is immense. Most parents expect them to marry young and more importantly, give birth to a baby to carry on family name. The patriarchal family structure suppresses women’s freedom of choice.
|
Impacts of stigmatisation of leftover women on single young ladies
From the psychological perspective, the unfair treatment women receive in comparison with men causes incongruence of their self concept and actual experience. Single young women may give up self-actualisation for positive regards from others (Carl Roger, 1951). They may experience emotional turbulence, such as anxiety and doubt their self-worth.
The label of leftover women set great store by marital status. The negative image prompts people to correlate them with flawed personality and incompetency. Gender discrimination as a result arises.
The label of leftover women set great store by marital status. The negative image prompts people to correlate them with flawed personality and incompetency. Gender discrimination as a result arises.
A more sympathetic approach
Gender inequality, a core element in the issue, put women in an underprivileged position. Our society has to be respectful of women’s rights and embrace pluralism. Exaggerating media reports and deliberate government policies have made leftover women to victimise. They have done nothing wrong to be considered as deviant. We have to reflect on our attitudes towards leftover women.
Conclusion
Undeniably some ladies are materialistic and view marriage as a kind of business. Nevertheless, they consist of only a small proportion of the population. It is unwise to criticise all single young women for their undesirable personalities. All people are created equal, both men and women. As hoped by Li Yinhe (2011), a renowned sexologist with the Chinese Social Sciences Academy, in an interview, “there will be a day people are allowed to live their life the way they want without others picking on them. At that time, being single will not be seen as a problem anymore”. Chinese society should hold sympathy to any one being treated unequally, including leftover women.
References
Greenhalgh,
S. (2012). Patriarchal demographics? China’s sex ratio reconsidered. Population
and Development Review, 38(Supplement), 130-149.
Jakii Zhu. (2012). Interview on Single Happiness Interviewed by Priscilla Jiao. [Newspaper] South Morning China Post, August 14, 2012.
Key. (2012) Chinese-style forcing marriage is fiercer than a tiger. Chinahush.[online] Available at http://www.chinahush.com/2012/02/19/chinese-style-forcing-marriage-is-fiercer-than-a-tiger/
Li, Y. (1999). Women’s Movement and Change of Women’s Status in China. Journal of International Women’s Studies. Available at http://www.bridgew.edu/soas/jiws/vol1/li.htm
Li, Y. (2011). Interview on China’s “Leftover Women” Unite This Singles’ Day Interviewed by Wang Yuxia. [Online feature] All-China Women’s Federation, November 11, 2011.
Liu, Z., & Kuan,H.C.(1988). The ethos of the Hong Kong Chinese. Hong Kong, Chinese Univeristy Press.
Rogers, Carl. (1951). Client-centered Therapy: Its Current Practice, Implications and Theory. London: Constable
Simpson, P. (2013). The‘leftover’ women: China defines official age for age for females being left on the shelf as 27. Mail Online. Available at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2282249/
Teaching materials for the topic of “Leftover women in the modern world” (香港電台「通識網」教學建議:盛世.剩女). (2010). LiberalStudies.tv in RTHK. Retrieved Apr 7, 2013, from http://www.liberalstudies.tv/relationships/pdf/ls_relationships_35.pdf
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council. (2007). Decision on Fully Enhancing Population and Family Planning Programme and Comprehensively Addressing Population Issues. [pdf] Available at http://www.ctchealth.org.cn/file/20070124.pdf
The Committee of Match-making Service Industries, China Association of Social Workers, & Baihewang. (2012). 2011 Report on the marital and love status of Chinese/ 2011 Zhongguo ren hun lian zhuang huang diao cha bao gao. (2011中國人婚戀狀況調查報告). Baihewang.
Unveil the two reasons behind leftover women issue: princess syndrome and lack of independence (揭秘兩大剩女因素:公主病和缺乏獨立能力). (2010). Chinaiiss. Retrieved Apr 7, 2013, from http://news.chinaiiss.com/html/201010/12/a2c362.html
Wang Mingmei, 2011. Interview on China’s “Leftover Women”Unite This Singles’ Day Interviewed by Wang Yuxia. [Online feature] All-China Women’s Federation, November 11, 2011.
Who accused the nine faults of the leftover women? (誰給剩女定的九宗罪). (2010). ifeng of Phoenix Television. Retrieved Apr 7, 2013, from http://big5.ifeng.com/gate/big5/culture.ifeng.com/1/detail_2010_11/07/3028045_0.shtml
Jakii Zhu. (2012). Interview on Single Happiness Interviewed by Priscilla Jiao. [Newspaper] South Morning China Post, August 14, 2012.
Key. (2012) Chinese-style forcing marriage is fiercer than a tiger. Chinahush.[online] Available at http://www.chinahush.com/2012/02/19/chinese-style-forcing-marriage-is-fiercer-than-a-tiger/
Li, Y. (1999). Women’s Movement and Change of Women’s Status in China. Journal of International Women’s Studies. Available at http://www.bridgew.edu/soas/jiws/vol1/li.htm
Li, Y. (2011). Interview on China’s “Leftover Women” Unite This Singles’ Day Interviewed by Wang Yuxia. [Online feature] All-China Women’s Federation, November 11, 2011.
Liu, Z., & Kuan,H.C.(1988). The ethos of the Hong Kong Chinese. Hong Kong, Chinese Univeristy Press.
Rogers, Carl. (1951). Client-centered Therapy: Its Current Practice, Implications and Theory. London: Constable
Simpson, P. (2013). The‘leftover’ women: China defines official age for age for females being left on the shelf as 27. Mail Online. Available at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2282249/
Teaching materials for the topic of “Leftover women in the modern world” (香港電台「通識網」教學建議:盛世.剩女). (2010). LiberalStudies.tv in RTHK. Retrieved Apr 7, 2013, from http://www.liberalstudies.tv/relationships/pdf/ls_relationships_35.pdf
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council. (2007). Decision on Fully Enhancing Population and Family Planning Programme and Comprehensively Addressing Population Issues. [pdf] Available at http://www.ctchealth.org.cn/file/20070124.pdf
The Committee of Match-making Service Industries, China Association of Social Workers, & Baihewang. (2012). 2011 Report on the marital and love status of Chinese/ 2011 Zhongguo ren hun lian zhuang huang diao cha bao gao. (2011中國人婚戀狀況調查報告). Baihewang.
Unveil the two reasons behind leftover women issue: princess syndrome and lack of independence (揭秘兩大剩女因素:公主病和缺乏獨立能力). (2010). Chinaiiss. Retrieved Apr 7, 2013, from http://news.chinaiiss.com/html/201010/12/a2c362.html
Wang Mingmei, 2011. Interview on China’s “Leftover Women”Unite This Singles’ Day Interviewed by Wang Yuxia. [Online feature] All-China Women’s Federation, November 11, 2011.
Who accused the nine faults of the leftover women? (誰給剩女定的九宗罪). (2010). ifeng of Phoenix Television. Retrieved Apr 7, 2013, from http://big5.ifeng.com/gate/big5/culture.ifeng.com/1/detail_2010_11/07/3028045_0.shtml