Source:

03-10-2006 15:32

With spring in the air, Senior College students are heading to career fairs trying to secure employment ahead of graduation. Meanwhile some female students are visiting dating agencies, hoping to find true love before completing their studies. This trend has aroused widespread concern in China.

At this career fair, they queued hours to hand over their resumes. And at this dating agency, recent graduates are scanning their lonely-hearts ads.

The number of university graduates in China rises each year. Last year saw more than three million, up from just over a million in 2001. The number is expected to reach four million this year. And female students are facing increasing competition in the job market.

President Wu Changzhen of Marriage Law Research Committee said: "Women have many natural characteristics, which might be obstacles in their career life. For instance, they will get married, have babies, and are physically weaker than men. That's why some companies are not interested in female graduates, and on some occasions, have higher requirements for female applicants."

For most female marriage-seekers, the economic status of a possible Mr. Right is a very important requirement. Some women even consider marriage to be a step in the direction of employment.

University student Zhang Man said: "I think love and material status cannot be separated when we look for a man to marry. If we don't have enough money to support our life and we get together just because we love each other, it's not going to last very long. Because there're too many things to worry about in the future."

On the other hand, many still believe marriage should be founded merely in love. Meanwhile, experts say that although well-educated, a woman's independent personality might suffer if all hopes are pinned on marriage.

Wu said:"Most of us prefer to build up a career by ourselves. Being independent, you might become stronger. The meaning of one's life depends on how much you contribute to society. To depend on others, is like a return to feudal society. And to marrying well doesn't ensure life-long comfort. Years later, if he meets someone who is younger and prettier than you, he might leave you. So women need to be independent."

According to a 2005 survey by the Women's Federation of the Beijing municipal government, 66 percent of women consider a happy family the most important thing in their life. And 42 percent of women said that as individuals, they worship freedom and equality.

To pursue a career or to seek a perfect Mr. Right. This is the question for female college graduates. Everyone has hopes for a happy life, but is it worthwhile to bet happiness on marriage? Many feel marriage is an exemption from work and other hardships. But the years invested are often the prime of life.

 

Editor:Wang Ping