A vibrant neon pink sign proclaiming “Having three children is the best” brightens the atmosphere at a bustling wedding expo in Changsha, the capital city of China’s Hunan Province, attracting curious attendees with its eye-catching message.
Guests at the expo are invited to delve into a wide array of themes that span from intricate wedding planning to the challenges of modern parenting. This event, part of a larger initiative by Chinese officials aimed at tackling the nation’s dwindling birth rate, includes engaging and interactive experiences where men can experience simulated pregnancy discomforts alongside the painful sensations of childbirth.
The marriage-themed festival is directly aligned with Beijing’s recent mandate for local governments to actively promote marriage and childbirth. Authorities are implementing various incentives, which encompass enhanced maternity and childcare benefits, as well as housing assistance designed for families welcoming multiple children.
However, the initiative has faced significant backlash on social media, as critics argue it reinforces antiquated gender roles and fails to address contemporary societal needs. Attendance at the expo has been disappointingly low, reflecting a lack of enthusiasm for the messaging presented.
Social media users raised concerns about expo slogans, such as “Housework is the best,” “Best at raising kids,” and “Best at tutoring homework.” Many individuals interpreted these messages as promoting harmful stereotypes that confine women to traditional roles.
“The slogans are all aimed at women. Shouldn’t sharing housework be the right thing to do?” questioned one user on Weibo, China’s Twitter-like platform, highlighting the sentiment that both partners should share responsibilities.
However, others voiced their disapproval regarding the festival’s approach. One user on Xiaohongshu, a popular social e-commerce platform, remarked that the event might have inadvertently “persuaded many hesitant people to give up marriage,” indicating that the framework of the event may not resonate with modern couples.
Despite government encouragement and supportive policies, marriage rates in China have continued their downward trajectory. The Ministry of Civil Affairs documented a concerning 16.6% drop in marriage registrations during the first three quarters of 2024, revealing that merely 4.75 million couples opted to marry.
Last week, Beijing took further measures, urging local governments to allocate resources towards fostering marriages and births among young individuals. The authorities issued guidelines aimed at enhancing family support, although many expressed skepticism over the practicality of these plans, citing a lack of detailed funding and implementation strategies.
Experts have voiced cautions about the potential impacts of these measures, with Xiujian Peng, a senior research fellow at the Centre of Policy Studies at Victoria University, asserting, “The effectiveness of government policies will be limited.” He emphasized the necessity of reducing excessive working hours as well as combating systemic workplace gender discrimination for any substantial change to occur.
Some local authorities have resorted to unconventional methods to boost birth rates, including initiatives that provide free vitamins to expectant mothers and various incentives to couples considering starting families.
However, many remain skeptical about these efforts. A local resident from Shanghai shared the sentiment that “the cost of having children is still too high, and the benefits are too low,” reflecting broader societal frustrations with the financial burdens of modern parenthood.
Additionally, concerns surrounding the competitive education system, high-intensity work culture, and skyrocketing housing costs have been frequently raised by locals, reiterating the need for a comprehensive approach to address these barriers.
China has struggled to recover from a record-low birth rate recorded last year, even after the country moved away from its one-child policy in 2015. Overall, the shift in policy has not yielded the anticipated outcomes with respect to birth rates.
In the coming months, policymakers are anticipated to unveil additional initiatives aimed at stimulating birth rates. However, economists caution that local governments, grappling with substantial debt, lack the resources necessary to undertake and support these measures on a scale that would be effective.
According to projections from Yuwa Population Research, China would need to invest approximately 10% of its GDP to adequately stabilize population levels in the future.
International models for success, such as those observed in France and Sweden, demonstrate that targeted social policies can effectively boost birth rates. However, similar strategies have been slow to gain traction in East Asia.
Experts argue that unique cultural and economic factors within this region, including pronounced gender inequality, significantly influence low birth rates. Notably, China ranks 107th on the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index, obtaining a lower position than Japan and South Korea, which rank 46th and 59th, respectively.
At the Changsha festival, authorities have unveiled a unique “marriage school” designed to provide unconventional learning experiences for attendees. Men are encouraged to don pregnancy simulation bellies that mimic the physical sensations of childbirth, complete with a pain scale that ranges from one to ten, in an effort to foster empathy.
Couples can also engage in hands-on activities such as diaper changing and preparing baby formula. Upon completing these tasks, participants earn an “internship marriage certificate,” an unusual form of recognition for their efforts.
This innovative approach, however, has raised questions among the public, with many expressing doubt regarding its overall effectiveness. “Treat women as human beings and respect them,” urged one user on Weibo, highlighting the necessity for a shift in perspective surrounding marriage and family roles.
“They don’t want to get married in the first place, and then the authorities are putting so much pressure on them and their families,” commented another observer, succinctly addressing the disconnect between government initiatives and people’s desires.
The festival is set to continue each weekend throughout November, aiming to inspire a rise in marriages and births across the region. Nevertheless, growing online reactions suggest that the event may not ultimately produce the desired results.
Mei Li Oklahoma
**Interview with Dr. Mei Li, Demographic Analyst and Social Policy Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Li. China’s marriage-themed expo in Changsha aimed to combat the nation’s low birth rate, yet it faced criticism and low attendance. What do you think this suggests about public sentiment towards government initiatives promoting marriage and childbirth?
**Dr. Li:** Thank you for having me. The low attendance and critical feedback indicate a significant disconnect between government messaging and the realities of young people’s lives in China today. Many individuals feel that the government hasn’t adequately addressed the financial and social pressures they face regarding marriage and child-rearing. The slogans used at the expo, unfortunately, seem to reinforce outdated gender roles, which could alienate young couples.
**Editor:** There have been specific concerns raised about the messaging at the expo promoting traditional roles for women. How do you think this affects the perception of policies aimed at increasing birth rates?
**Dr. Li:** Traditional messaging can perpetuate stereotypes that limit women’s roles in society and can discourage modern couples from pursuing marriage and families. Young men and women increasingly want equitable partnerships where both share household and parenting responsibilities. Policies that promote only traditional roles risk being viewed as regressive, which could exacerbate the very issue they’re attempting to resolve.
**Editor:** There are claims from experts like Xiujian Peng that the government’s policies may have limited effectiveness. In your view, what are the key factors that need to be addressed to stimulate higher birth rates in China?
**Dr. Li:** Effective policies must tackle several systemic issues. Key factors include the high cost of living, particularly housing and education; excessive working hours that limit family time; and workplace discrimination, which often burdens women. Until these foundational issues are effectively addressed, no amount of incentivization will significantly boost birth rates.
**Editor:** Despite these challenges, local authorities are experimenting with various initiatives like providing free vitamins to expectant mothers. Do you think such measures can lead to meaningful change?
**Dr. Li:** While it’s commendable that local authorities are trying different strategies, these small-scale initiatives are insufficient alone. They may provide temporary relief, but without substantial structural changes—addressing affordable housing, improving work-life balance, and enhancing childcare accessibility—these initiatives are unlikely to yield lasting results.
**Editor:** As you mentioned, international models from countries like France and Sweden have successfully boosted birth rates. What specific lessons could China adopt from these examples?
**Dr. Li:** Countries like France and Sweden have implemented comprehensive family-friendly policies, including extensive parental leave, affordable childcare services, and support for work-life balance. These measures, combined with societal acceptance of shared parenting roles, have led to higher birth rates. China could benefit from more targeted approaches that consider the unique cultural and economic context while promoting gender equality in family responsibilities.
**Editor:** what are your predictions for China’s demographic future if these challenges are not addressed?
**Dr. Li:** If current trends continue, China could face a significant demographic crisis in the coming decades, marked by an aging population and a shrinking workforce. Without effective intervention, the country’s economic growth and social stability may be jeopardized. It’s essential for policymakers to act decisively now to create an environment where families feel supported in raising children.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Li, for your insights on this pressing issue. It’s clear that addressing the nuanced factors surrounding marriage and birth rates in China will require a thoughtful and multifaceted approach.
