During the 2023 Apsara Conference, in the streets and alleys of Hangzhou, middle-aged ladies can be seen holding billboards with white characters on a red background from time to time, attracting people's attention. The advertisement says that there are many daughters of wealthy families born in the 90s in Xiaoshan who are looking for a son-in-law. This phenomenon has become a hot topic in the local society, and some outsiders even mistakenly think it is. However, locals are no strangers to this, as Xiaoshan began to recruit sons-in-law as early as 2005, and it has been going on for nearly 20 years. Many homes not only own multiple properties, but also a variety of luxury vehicles. This has led to thinking about why Xiaoshan is so special. This article will delve into the background of Xiaoshan, people's motivations for recruiting sons-in-law, and the challenges they face in joining a son-in-law.
As a district of Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, Xiaoshan emerged as early as the early days of reform and opening up. In the late 70s, when China's economic reforms were slow, Xiaoshan's private economy had already begun to take off. Lu Guanqiu, a farmer in a blacksmith shop, quickly became a world-class auto parts giant by working hard to start an auto parts business. He even appeared on the cover of Time magazine in the United States. Lu Guanqiu's success is only the tip of the iceberg, in fact, Xiaoshan's economy is booming, and a variety of hard-working entrepreneurs are constantly emerging. In the stage of economic industrialization in Xiaoshan, various factories have sprung up like mushrooms after a rain, such as the grand occasion of "every household runs a factory, and every village smokes".
At the same time, Xiaoshan has also experienced a rapid urbanization process, and large-scale demolition and construction has led to the emergence of a large number of large real estate owners. Therefore, owning three or four properties is a common thing for Xiaoshan people. Some even claim that the family has eight properties. According to the ** report, in the ranking of the top 100 districts in comprehensive strength in 2018, Xiaoshan ranked 5th, with a per capita disposable income of 650,000, Xiaoshan also has 23 people selected into the Hurun Rich List.
In addition, there is also a tradition in the Xiaoshan area, where families with only daughters are reluctant to let their daughters marry outside and like to recruit sons-in-law for them. Therefore, it is said that there are more than 300 Xiaoshan women waiting in line at the marriage agency to recruit sons-in-law.
Generally speaking, the conditions for recruiting a son-in-law are not harsh. As long as the man's character is good, his appearance is passable, and his height is 1More than 7 meters, college degree or above, stable job, annual salary of more than 100,000 yuan, you can meet the requirements. Many people think they have the qualifications to ask how they can succeed. Although some people try to contact the woman themselves, most people will choose to go to a marriage agency that specializes in the business of sons-in-law, such as the "Golden Idea Marriage Agency" in Hangzhou.
In order to successfully "apply" for a son-in-law, you must first become a member and pay the corresponding membership fee. These agencies screen young men who come to apply and conduct interviews. If the appearance does not meet the woman's requirements, has bad habits, or has a bad credit score, it will be rejected. After all the inspections, the marriage agency will develop the young man into a member and provide services for two years. However, there is no guarantee that you will be successful.
In today's society, more and more people are open to marriage. Young men face tremendous pressure to get married, especially in cities. As a result, some young men will try to get rich with a try-and-see mentality. However, they often face many challenges.
The first is family pressure. In Xiaoshan, for example, the families who recruited sons-in-law were usually very wealthy and owned multiple properties and properties. The man often has to bear the expectations of the family and have the financial ability to provide a comfortable life for the woman. This is a lot of pressure for some young men who are not in good financial conditions.
The second is the pressure of society. In traditional Chinese beliefs, marriage in which a man enters the woman's family is not universally accepted. However, in some areas, such as Xiaoshan, it has become a trend. As a result, some young men face negative perceptions and comments from family, friends and society. This is a huge psychological pressure for some young people.
Finally, there is the shift in family roles. Traditionally, the man has played the role of breadwinner and family leader in marriage. However, in marriage, the man often loses this role and becomes a member of the woman's family. This is a challenge for some young men who need to adapt and adjust.
The phenomenon of recruiting sons-in-law in the Xiaoshan area is indeed a special case in China's marriage market. It reflects the local economic prosperity and changes in social values. The son-in-law's family is wealthy and owns several properties and properties. Their motivation for choosing a son-in-law is to protect the family property and inheritance and prevent the risks of their daughter's marriage. However, the son-in-law faces many challenges, such as financial pressures, social and family role changes. Despite this, there are still many young people who are willing to try to get involved, which also reflects the openness of today's society to the role of marriage and family. Xiaoshan's special background and the phenomenon of recruiting sons-in-law help us to understand the diversity and changes in China's marriage market.