On April 22, “the World of the Post- 1980 Generation—the Release Conference of Fudan University’s Survey on the Social Transformation in the Yangtze River Delta” took place in Shanghai. The Fudan Institute of Social Research headed this in all-dimensional longitudinal survey, which covered the education, careers, love lives and marriage habits, and fertility of Chinese born after 1980.

 

“Generally speaking, the post-1980 respondents investigated this round were well-educated,”said Associate Professor Hu An’ning from the School of Social Development and Public Policy at Fudan University. More than 50% attended university. Survey results showed a positive correlation between respondents’educational level and income, as well as education level and the highest degree attained by their parents.

As the first generation since China’s implementation of the family plan¬ning policy, does the post-1980 generation approach marriage differently? Though the stereotype is that material considerations have become very important for selecting a spouse, the survey found that both male and female respondents most valued liv¬ing habits, character and IQ.

Experts noted that higher educational levels are an important factor delaying childbearing. Marriage and fertility increased dramatically among females age 30 and older, particularly for women with a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Males with advanced degrees tend to put off starting a family even longer.

 

The results from the Yangtze Region are just first stage of a more comprehensive survey conducted by Fudan that will later include Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces.

 

 

 

The Chinese version appeared in Chinese Social Sciences Today, No. 588, April 25, 2014                                                

 

Translated by Bai Le

Revised by Charles Horne