China Pushes for ‘Love Education’ in Universities to Boost Families and Birth Rates. In an effort to combat its declining birth rate, China is urging universities to introduce “love education,” aimed at promoting positive attitudes toward marriage, relationships, fertility, and family life.
This initiative comes as Beijing strives to make having children more appealing to young couples, following a second consecutive year of population decline in 2023. With a population of 1.4 billion, China is facing an aging demographic that will place increasing pressure on the economy and government spending.
According to the Jiangsu Xinhua newspaper group, citing China Population News, university students are seen as a key group for influencing fertility trends. However, their views on marriage and love have shifted significantly. To address this, the government is advocating for universities to step up and offer relationship and marriage education.
“Colleges and universities should take responsibility for providing marriage and love education through dedicated courses,” China Population News reported, aiming to foster a “healthy and positive cultural atmosphere” around marriage and childbearing.
In November, China’s State Council called on local governments to support initiatives that encourage childbearing and marriages at the right age. However, experts warn that these efforts may not resonate with younger generations.
A survey revealed that 57% of college students did not want to fall in love, mainly due to the difficulty of balancing relationships with academic responsibilities. The lack of structured education on relationships and marriage has left many students with a vague understanding of emotional connections.
To address this, universities are encouraged to educate students, particularly undergraduates, on the country’s population challenges and contemporary views on marriage and childbearing. Graduate students would engage in more in-depth discussions through case studies and group debates on maintaining intimate relationships and improving communication between the sexes.
These efforts aim to equip students with the knowledge and skills to navigate relationships and marriage with a clearer understanding.
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