‘E-pregnancy’: Women in China choose quirky method to save cash by putting money ‘spent’ on virtual baby in bank

Players allocate ‘pregnancy’ funds for different items while money ‘spent’ is deposited in bank account as savings. Imaginary pregnancy plan fails to translate into desire to have real baby. — SCMP

Given they are defined by a digital age of uncertainty, it should come as no surprise that China’s Generation Z has turned to the virtual world in search of a family, and a way to save money.

The age cohort generally accepted to have been born between 1996 and 2010 have embraced “e-pregnancy”, a virtual game in which participants can experience some of the trials, tribulations and excitement of a real birth, minus the physical, and financial pain.