China Company Backtracks on Controversial Marriage Policy After Public Outcry
In a surprising move, a Chinese company has reversed a contentious policy that threatened to terminate employees who remained unmarried or divorced by the end of September. The policy, introduced by Shuntian Chemical Group, a company based in Shandong province, aimed to boost marriage rates among its employees. However, it sparked widespread criticism from the public and government officials, leading to its swift withdrawal. The incident has shed light on the complexities of China’s efforts to address declining marriage and birth rates, as well as the challenges of balancing corporate and governmental policies with individual freedoms.
The policy, announced last month, targeted unmarried employees aged 28 to 58, including those who were divorced. It required them to "resolve your personal marriage issues" by September 30. The announcement outlined a series of steps, including self-reflection and evaluations, with the final consequence of termination if employees failed to marry and establish a family by the third quarter. The policy also criticized single employees for "not responding to the national call" to marry and have children, labeling them as "disloyal and disobedient to parental advice." This language, in particular, drew ire from the public, with many questioning the company’s right to interfere in such personal matters.
The backlash was swift and intense. On Chinese social media platforms like Weibo, users condemned the policy, with one commenter asking, "Isn’t this just another reason to fire an employee?" The criticism extended beyond the public, as local human resources and social security officials visited the company on February 13 to point out that the policy violated Chinese labor law. By the next day, the company had withdrawn the announcement, admitting that the language used was "inappropriate."
China’s Struggle with Declining Marriage and Birth Rates
The controversy surrounding Shuntian Chemical Group’s policy comes amid a broader context of China’s efforts to address its declining marriage and birth rates. The country, the second-most-populous in the world after India, is grappling with a shrinking and aging population. According to government data, the number of new marriages in China fell by a fifth last year, the largest drop on record. Additionally, the population fell in 2024 for the third consecutive year, reaching 1.408 billion. These trends have raised concerns about the long-term economic and social implications for the nation.
In an effort to reverse these trends, the Chinese government has been encouraging younger generations to marry and have children. However, these efforts have been met with skepticism, particularly among young people who face significant challenges such as high living costs, demanding work cultures, and uncertainty about the future. The proposal to lower the legal marriage age to 18, suggested by a national political adviser ahead of China’s annual parliamentary meeting, has also sparked debate. Currently, the legal age for marriage in China is 22 for men and 20 for women, among the highest in the world. While most developed countries have a legal marriage age of 18, the proposal has been met with skepticism, with many young people questioning its practicality.
Public Skepticism Over Marriage Age Proposal
The proposal to lower the legal marriage age has been met with widespread skepticism, particularly on social media. Many users have pointed out that young people are already struggling with high unemployment rates and financial instability, making marriage and starting a family seem like an unattainable goal. One commenter on Weibo asked, "When you don’t even have the ability to make money, do you want to have a baby for your parents to raise?" Others expressed concern that the proposal was out of touch with the realities of modern life, with one user questioning, "Is this going back to ancient times?" The backlash highlights the disconnect between government policies and the lived experiences of young people in China.
The Broader Implications of China’s Marriage and Population Policies
The incidents involving Shuntian Chemical Group and the marriage age proposal reflect the broader challenges China faces in addressing its demographic crisis. The government’s efforts to boost marriage and birth rates have been met with resistance, as young people increasingly prioritize education, career, and personal freedom over traditional norms. The controversy also underscores the tension between the state’s efforts to influence personal choices and individual rights. As China continues to grapple with these issues, it remains to be seen whether its policies will resonate with a younger generation that is increasingly looking to define its own path in life.
In conclusion, the reversal of Shuntian Chemical Group’s marriage policy and the skepticism surrounding the marriage age proposal serve as a reminder of the complexities of addressing demographic challenges in a rapidly changing society. While the government may have good intentions in trying to shore up marriage and birth rates, it must also listen to the voices of young people and address the underlying issues that are driving these trends. Only by creating an environment where marriage and family life are viable and desirable choices can China hope to reverse its declining population and ensure a sustainable future.
