The Chinese woman has become an online celebrity and sparked controversy, claiming she spent the last 12 years of her life trying to raise enough money for her brother to find a wife and start a family.
It’s no secret that it’s harder for a man to find a wife in China than in most other countries. For decades, many couples, especially in rural areas, have been trying to have a boy. The men were strong enough to work and were generally able to take care of their elderly relatives later.
However, this state of affairs has led to a serious gender disparity in China, where today there are many bachelors for every woman. This makes it very difficult for men to find a wife. Therefore, in some cases, families offer single people financial support to increase their chances of finding a suitable wife.
Bride price is a long-standing Chinese tradition that requires the groom’s family to present gifts to the bride’s family in exchange for their hand. But that has changed significantly in recent decades.
In the 60s and 70s modest gifts like bedding were the norm, in the 80s it was consumer electronics like televisions and refrigerators, but after the economic boom that started in the 1990s, the situation has escalated to the point where that bride price is now being paid. in cash, cars and houses.
Single people from poor families have little chance of finding a wife. of Anhui province in eastern China is one of them. The 33-year-old said she had spent the last 12 years of her life making sure her brother had enough money to find a wife.
“I will think of myself after my brother’s wedding, my marriage can wait,” said a single woman. – For about four years, I have saved so much that I have barely bought new clothes.