Parents give dating game a helping hand

‘Leftover’ people

Matchmaking events are not new to the city. Most typically, they are held for singles in their 20s and 30s.

Women in their late-20s and men in their mid-30s are sometimes referred to as “leftover” people in China. Even well-educated, well-paid individuals sometimes find it hard to meet the partners of their dreams.

“This is a real social problem,” Zhou said. “This wave of singles — the fourth in China, which started in 2006 — is forecast to last 10 to 15 years.”

A retired university professor surnamed Zhang, was among those at a recent “blind date corner” event. His 40-year-old daughter who works as an accountant is unmarried. She’s shy, he explained.

“My wife and I are now in our 70s, and will be gone one day,” Zhang said. “She is growing older and has no child. Who will take care of her after we die?”

Zhang said he has lowered his criteria for a son-in-law. A lower education background and a newcomer to the city would be acceptable, he said.

“I once paid about 1,800 yuan to a matchmaking agency, only to be told in the end that the situation was too difficult,” he said.

Zhang said he visited the matchmaking event in People’s Park several times, only to find that parents of men the same age as his daughter were looking for much younger women.

Gathering in People’s Park, which have been taking place for 10 years, often attract up to 2,000 parents. Details on the age, education and employment of prospective partners is written like an advertisement for other parents to consider.

Many parents who attend these events do so without their children’s knowledge.

The Shanghai Youth League Committee, which hosted a mass matchmaking event in Gucun Park late last month, said it will organize classes for parents to help them take a more rational view of unmarried children.