A southern Chinese city has launched bold initiatives to boost marriage and birth rates, stirring controversy. - Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock Zoey Zhang
BEIJING (SCMP): A city in southern China has launched bold initiatives and slogans to encourage marriage and boost birth rates, igniting widespread controversy.
In October, Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, unveiled the country’s first “marriage-themed” cultural street.
The historic street showcases both Chinese and Western wedding scenes, providing visitors with plenty of photo opportunities.
However, what truly captures attention are the pink slogans displayed throughout the area, featuring phrases like “I enjoy making breakfast”, “I’d be willing to take care of the baby”, and “Having three children is the coolest”.
These slogans have drawn significant criticism online for their depiction of women’s roles in marriage.
The cultural street has a “marriage school” where visitors can rent traditional wedding attire and learn about love and marriage. - Photo: Sydney Today
“Cooking and child-rearing are portrayed as female responsibilities, emphasised in pink, which feels both disrespectful and discriminatory towards women,” one user commented on Xiaohongshu.
Another female commenter expressed her outrage: “That’s ridiculous. Am I not ‘cool’ if I don’t have three children? My self-worth should not be tied to marriage and motherhood.”
An angry observer challenged the government: “Why don’t the leaders have eight kids themselves first? Promoting marriage and children overlooks the real issues young people face, such as job struggles and low wages. It’s simply a waste of taxpayer money.”
The street also features a “marriage school”, where visitors can rent traditional Chinese wedding attire and participate in lessons on love and marriage.
Travel influencer Uncle Huzi shared his experience at the marriage school, where he tried a labour-pain simulator.
Male visitors can experience childbirth at the marriage school using a labour-pain stimulator. - Photo: Sydney Today
“Thank you, Mum; that was incredibly painful. Every man should experience this. Childbirth is truly arduous for women,” he remarked.
Visitors can also practise parenting tasks, such as diaper-changing and preparing formula.
Those who complete all the challenges will receive a “marriage permit certificate”, symbolising their graduation from this unique educational experience.
Changsha officials explained that the street aims to creatively promote marriage culture in a way that resonates with young people, fostering high-quality population growth.
However, the slogans and activities have elicited mixed reactions on mainland social media.
The mock nursery, above, allows visitors to practise parenting skills like diaper changing and preparing formula. - Photo: Sydney Today
One supporter on Weibo called it “very educational”, asserting that marriage and childbirth are essential components of society.
Conversely, a local from Changsha voiced her discontent: “I’m embarrassed by these activities. Marriage and parenthood should remain personal choices.”
In China, 3.43 million marriages were registered in the first half of this year, marking a 12-per-cent decrease from last year, the lowest in a decade.
Meanwhile, the birth rate has plummeted to a record low of 9.02 million births last year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Experts warn that declining marriage and birth rates could exacerbate China’s labour shortage and accelerate its ageing population crisis.
Recently, some mainland companies have introduced incentives for employees to marry and have more children. In June, a machinery firm offered a bonus of 210,000 yuan (US$29,000) to employees who welcomed a third child. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
