Universities in China Urged to Teach 'Love Education' to Boost Birth Rate
The newly-proposed courses hope to reshape college students' attitudes toward marriage and family to address demographic challenges.
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In an effort to reverse its declining birth rate, China has asked universities to offer "love education" courses focusing on positive attitudes toward marriage, love, fertility, and family.
China's birth rate had just declined for the second year in succession in 2023. Since the population is aging and stands at 1.4 billion, China is under economic and social pressure as fewer youngsters join the workforce and birth rates decline.
US News stated that the Chinese government believes that universities could help redefine youth's perceptions about marriage. The Chinese news on population states that a majority of college-going youth have shifted away from their long-held views on marriage and family. A recent study discovered that 57% of the students avoid relationships because it creates a conflict between the relationship and studies. This trend is further encouraged by a lack of structured education in matters concerning emotional relationships and marriage.
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China's Love Education to Boost Birth Rate
With these "love education" courses, the government hopes to educate junior students about trends on population and cultivate cultural attitude toward childbearing and marriage. To desensitize them from the stigma linked to these concepts, senior students could discuss or engage in activities to manage relationships to facilitate a healthy attitude toward love and family.
In November, Reuters shared that China's state council instructed local governments to promote the importance of childbearing and marriage "at the right age." Experts, however, are skeptical about the impact of these efforts on young people, who are increasingly prioritizing personal goals over traditional family expectations.
While these courses may better enable students to manage their relationships, effectiveness depends on how relevant they are for the young generation. Until today, the program points to the increasing concern about China's demographic challenges and their overall impact on the future of the nation.
