“Unfit for the high post, while unwilling to take the lower one” has become a common issue among many Chinese single men and women of marriage age. Shown in the picture are lovers at a wedding expo in Beijing. (Getty Images)

Many single men and women of marriage age in China have a “headache” at the time of the Chinese New Year. Watching others going home in couples, he or she each keenly has the feeling of still being one person alone. Unable to explain the situation well to parents, relatives and friends, some singles have decided not to go home to celebrate the New Year. Some even “rent a date” to go home for a visit.
 
According to a report by China News Service, these single people are affected by many factors, such as the unbalanced ratio of the sexes—more men than women—and some traditional marriage customs like “strong male, weak female,” and “unfit for the high post, while unwilling to take the lower one.” These have become common issues among many single Chinese men and women of marriage age.   

As a result, the number of single men and women of marriage age continues to climb. They inevitably have to withstand the pressure from various sources to get married. Once the time of the Chinese New Year is approaching, the marriage issue becomes a topic of discussion after meals among friends and relatives more and more.  

Mr. Zhang, an employee of a company in Hangzhou City said, “Once again it is the Chinese New Year. It is difficult to meet with my parents. ‘When can you bring a wife home?’ I hear their voices echo in my ears every Chinese New Year. When I am visiting friends and relatives, I am always being asked about marriage. Single youths like me who have passed marriage age even dare not to go home for the Chinese New Year.”

He said, “Now I feel guilty when I meet my parents. I know they are pressuring me for my own good, but if I can’t find an appropriate wife, I can’t steal one, can I? Indeed, I am in fear of the Chinese New Year.”

Ms. Liu, 30 years old, who works at a foreign company in Hangzhou, posted an e-mail on the Internet asking to “rent a boyfriend” to go home with her for the Chinese New Year.

She said, “Not being married doesn’t mean not wanting to get married. The young people believe in predestined relationships very much. Maybe it is not time yet. But parents can’t understand it, so I have to ‘rent a boyfriend’ to handle the situation.”

Some specialists stated that many Chinese young people tend to be idealistic while choosing their lovers. They have set very high standard for the marriages, which causes them to remain single. The key is to adjust their mentality, and treasure those in front of them. Parents and children, the two generations, need more  communication, which is the most important thing.

Read original article in Chinese.