‘Marriage school’: China city’s bold measures to boost nuptials, birth rates spark criticism

A city in southern China has launched bold initiatives and slogans to encourage marriage and boost birth rates, igniting widespread controversy.

In October, Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, unveiled the country’s first “marriage-themed” cultural street.

The historic street showcases both Chinese and Western wedding scenes, providing visitors with plenty of photo opportunities.

However, what truly captures attention are the pink slogans displayed throughout the area, featuring phrases like “I enjoy making breakfast”, “I’d be willing to take care of the baby”, and “Having three children is the coolest”.

These slogans have drawn significant criticism online for their depiction of women’s roles in marriage.

“Cooking and child-rearing are portrayed as female responsibilities, emphasised in pink, which feels both disrespectful and discriminatory towards women,” one user commented on Xiaohongshu.