China’s population has begun to decline at an unprecedented rate. The Chinese government recently officially announced that the country is experiencing its worst population decline in 60 years. The Chinese government is taking various measures to increase population growth.
The Chinese government directed the state governments to announce several innovative programs and incentives for this. Since then every state has started to announce many concessions based on the customs of their region.
In part, efforts have been made to abolish the practice of dowry for marriage. In China, the traditional custom of giving multiple times the groom’s monthly income to the bride’s parents in cash at the time of marriage has been practiced for many years. This is known as ‘Kaili’.
At the time of betrothal, the bridegroom has to give this amount to the bride’s family. This amount is given to the bride’s family to convince the bridegroom of his honesty and wealth and to compensate the parents for raising their girl for so many years.;
Recent studies show that three out of four weddings in China take place according to this traditional practice.
Men who cannot afford this dowry are delaying marriage. Due to this, the rate of marriage has also decreased significantly. This is also considered to be the main cause of population decline.
Therefore, the Chinese government has decided to end this practice of dowry. Some states have also introduced gift announcements honoring the bride’s family as ‘best parents’ who declare no dowry.
In a city in Jiangxi Province, a letter was written and signed by unmarried women saying, ‘We will not ask for dowry’.
And, ‘We want to live happily; Hundreds of couples were married on Women’s Day with the phrase ‘not dowry’.
Apart from this, the government has increased the subsidy amount for new born children and the leave given for marriage has also been increased. Formal registration of a child born out of wedlock is also allowed.