The woman on a mission to expose China’s ‘harsh and cruel’ marriage market
Secret video footage reveals how outdated thinking still prevails among many Chinese parents
The day Chinese photographer Guo Yingguang went to the “marriage market” in downtown Shanghai last summer looking for dates she was constantly asked one question: “How old are you?”
Guo was 34 and many parents who regularly flock to the famous People’s Park venue during weekends looking for a partner for their grown-up children viewed her as way too old.
One middle-aged man even compared her to property, claiming she was like a nice house in the countryside with an attractive look, but too aged.
Guo filmed some of the comments from parents with a hidden camera and the video was later watched more than 14 million times on Chinese social media.
One man was filmed telling Guo: “What’s the use of her getting a master's degree? A bachelor’s is more than enough. Just like the old saying goes, ‘a woman’s virtue lies in her lack of talent’.” Guo had written an advert mentioning she had a master’s degree after studying in London, prompting the scornful remark from the man.
“I stood there and listened to them talking about me. I felt the world was too harsh and too cruel. In their world view, I’m worthless,” Guo said.