China’s Civil Affairs University announced a new undergraduate marriage program to develop marriage-related industries and culture, drawing the scorn of social media users, who questioned the need for such a course as marriage rates decline.
With the program due to start next month, the Beijing-based institution aims to “cultivate professionals to develop marriage related industries and culture,” state media reported last week.
Policymakers are struggling to reverse the decline in new births, which is closely linked to marriage rates, after China’s population last year fell for a second consecutive year.
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Marriage is seen as a prerequisite for having children due to widespread policies, including one that requires parents to present a marriage certificate to register the baby and receive benefits. Single women and LGBTQ couples are not entitled to the same rights.
Called Marriage Services and Management, the new degree program is to focus on the development of the marriage industry, “aiming to highlight China’s positive marriage and family culture to students and the public and advancing reform of China’s marriage customs,” the Global Times reported.
The university would enroll 70 undergraduates from 12 provinces this year to field sectors including “family counseling, high-end wedding planning and the development of matchmaking products,” it reported.
Some Sina Weibo users ridiculed the announcement, with one writing: “It’s time to start a state-owned marriage agency.”
Others questioned the need for such a degree.
“This industry is not just a sunset, it’s doomsday,” one wrote.
“Learning this major is really unemployment after graduation,” another said.
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