Married Chinese couples are becoming discontented with their marriages earlier than couples in other Asian countries. (Photo : www.metro.co.uk)
Surveys reveal that divorce is becoming a common phenomenon for couples from the 1980s. According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the number of divorced couples reached over 3.6 million last year, showing a 3.9-percent increase from the previous year, as seen in the last 12 years.
"They say that many couples from the 1980s generation are either divorced or are on their way to getting divorced. I think I might join that group soon," Xiao Mei (not real name), a 26-year-old woman from Beijing, told the Global Times.
Xiao met her husband, six years her senior, in March 2014, and got married just eight months after. However, the couple have been to the Beijing Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau twice in six months, to file for a divorce.
The couple is just one of the 220 million born between 1980 and 1989. Statistics show that people born in these years are the main contributors to China's increasing divorce cases.
A survey carried out by two judges from Shanghai No. 2 Intermediate People's Court showed that out of the 200 couples who file to get a divorce, at least one partner was born in the 1980s. It was also revealed that 26 percent of those who came to court have just been married for two years, and over 40 percent filed for divorce after the third year.
Experts stressed that the generation's take on marriage differs from their parents', adding that financial problems, modern living, and social networking contribute to this group's high divorce rate.
Xiao Ning, 27, was a playwright who gave up her career in Beijing, and divorced her husband of one month after she found out of his affairs.
"I do not want to make do with my marriage. When I felt that I was not suitable for him, it might be better for us to split up," she said.
Another case is that of Liu Xiang, 32, a former Olympic champion hurdler and world record holder declared divorce with wife Ge Tian. The couple fell in love in May 2014 and married in September.
"Previously, people regarded divorce as something humiliating. They preferred maintaining the status quo to resorting to divorce. The 1980s generation are more open-minded and don't think that it is a bad choice," Beijing-based Jingxiang Law Firm divorce lawyer Ren Chao told the Global Times.
Ren also said that extra-marital affairs contribute to couple's divorce, stating that the 1980s generation exists in a wealthier, open, and information-based society where temptations are everywhere.
"If husbands cheat, 50 percent of women will choose to forgive them; however, if wives cheat, their husband will definitely file for divorce," said Ren.
It is quite common for couples among the 1980s generation to divorce quickly. Petty things can easily cause break-up, she said.
"For example, one couple sought a divorce because they had an argument about which one should prepare milk for their baby."
"The 1980s group were the first generation influenced by China's family planning policy. With many being the only child, they grew up in a favorable environment and lacked the sense of sharing and endurance. Therefore, they are more likely to divorce due to personality clashes," Jiangsu-based marriage registrar surnamed Wei told the Global Times.
"When marriage is no longer a sacred promise, people tend to end their relationship at will. Some couples still lived together after they divorced and some remarried a few days later," stated Wei.
Wei added that parents of the 1980s generation tend to meddle with their child's family life, and that they were not able put importance to traditional family values.
The process of divorce was time-consuming in the past, as couples had to obtain a certificate from their companies or communities, whereas now they simply go to the marriage registration and wait a few minutes.
Wei, however, added that there is no need to worry about the high divorce rate among 1980s couples, as as most divorced couples are aged between 30 and 45.
