Only children in China prefer to marry other only children

And yes, they do have a choice.

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Couples at a collective wedding ceremony in Shenyang. In China’s cut-throat marriage market, cars, houses and savings are all topics for a first date. More offbeat is the number of siblings.

Couples at a collective wedding ceremony in Shenyang. In China’s cut-throat marriage market, cars, houses and savings are all topics for a first date. More offbeat is the number of siblings.

PHOTO: AFP

The Economist

Unlike some of her friends, Kalinda Duan, a 28-year-old woman from Shanxi province, is not opposed to marriage. Having grown up without siblings, she thinks the companionship of matrimony wonderful. But she has one firm requirement of a future husband – he must also be an only child. No one can persuade her otherwise – “Even if it’s the son of the party secretary of the State Council”.

In China’s cut-throat marriage market, cars, houses and savings are all topics for a first date. More offbeat is the number of siblings.

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