Back in the day, couples who wanted to get divorced must get permission from community committees or employers. (Photo : Getty Images)
Many Chinese couples confessed that redecorating is taking a toll on their marital affairs.
This came from a Shanghai-based interior decorator, Ding Dang. She admitted that Chinese couples had a difficult time resolving issues on how to refit their new apartments. On top of that, many Chinese parents meddle into the decision-making process.
Ding also related a story of a woman who filed for divorce because of misunderstandings with her in-laws. Their misunderstanding started when her then husband's mother started interfering with the refurbishment of their apartment.
The mother-in-law said, "This is where my son is going to live, and I have to make sure that my son is comfortable in everything."
Ding said, "Complicating matters, the parents of young couples often intervene too much, adding to stress levels."
According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the divorce rate in China has steadily increased in the past 12 years. Chongqing has the highest divorce rate at 4.5 percent.
The high rates of divorce more likely happened among couples who are in their late 20s to early 30s. These are the children born under the one-child policy, those who were used to being the center of attention. As only children in the family, parents attend to all of their needs including their married lives.
Couples have to deal with the aftermath of the one-child policy, as well as the stress of building a home.
Ding confessed: "From my experience, many people get very stressed, anxious and frustrated during this process. They often worry about the quality of the workmen and if everything is being done correctly. They worry about the cost. It's easy to get irritated during the lengthy process."
Ding also said that misunderstandings on home improvement should not end in divorce. She always reminds her clients that someone should give way, like what Chiang Kai-shek did for his wife, Soong Mei Ling.
