China has urged its colleges and universities to introduce "love education" courses aimed at fostering positive perspectives on marriage, love, fertility, and family life. This initiative is part of the government's broader strategy to address the country’s declining birth rate, which has seen two consecutive years of population shrinkage since 2023.
With a population of 1.4 billion—second-largest in the world—China is grappling with the challenges of an aging demographic. The rapidly aging population is expected to place increasing pressure on government resources and strain the economy in the years to come.
College students, seen as potential drivers of future fertility, have shown significantly altered views on love and marriage. According to China Population News, an official publication, universities are being encouraged to take responsibility for educating students about marriage and relationships to create a "healthy and positive marriage and childbearing cultural atmosphere."
Shift in Attitudes Among Students
A survey conducted by China Population News revealed that 57% of college students do not want to engage in romantic relationships. Many cited difficulties in balancing academics and personal life as the primary reason. Additionally, the lack of "systematic and scientific marriage and love education" has left students with limited understanding of emotional relationships.
Proposed Curriculum for "Love Education"
The initiative recommends a tiered approach to marriage and relationship education:
Junior College Students: Focus on population dynamics, national policies, and new concepts of marriage and childbearing.
Senior College Students and Graduates: Emphasis on practical skills such as maintaining intimate relationships, understanding emotional dynamics, and effective communication between genders through case studies and group discussions.
The courses aim to help students better understand and manage relationships, fostering a mindset conducive to marriage and parenthood.
Government’s Broader Push
In November, the State Council called on local governments to dedicate resources to reversing the population decline and promoting respect for childbearing and marriage "at the right age." However, demographers remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures, citing young Chinese adults’ changing priorities and attitudes towards family life.
China continues to explore various strategies to address its demographic challenges, with education initiatives being a key component of the effort.
(with inputs from Reuters)
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