Chinese Terminology: Leftover men and woman

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02:28

And now, it's time for China 24's special series-"Chinese Terminology". We help explain the magnitude of China's reform and opening up through certain well-known phrases. Today, our Jonathan Betz looks at the term associated with "leftover men and women".

There's a saying in China-"There are men, women, and female PHD holders.'

It's a sexist joke that assumes women with advanced degrees may intimidate men or have standards that are too high. If they remain single for many years - in China - they're labelled so-called "leftover women".

The term emerged around 2006. It refers to both men and women over a certain age who were not in committed relationships. Society often found their single status unacceptable, especially their parents' generation for whom marriages were often arranged.

Yet, the phenomenon of more and more single adults is obviously more complicated than young people simply being too choosy.

High living costs keep many people from starting families. "Matchmaking corners"- organized for young people to find dates - are now more frequented by parents who desperately promote their children's biographies like salespeople.

But their parents' enthusiasm has not kept young people from valuing spiritual connections over material wealth.

This is exactly why many are not in a hurry to marry. Instead of starting a family at an early age, young people now prefer to give themselves more time to perfect themselves – which will also help them find perfect partners. To them, finding a husband or wife is more than a mission to reproduce; it is a choice about how to spend the rest of their lives.