Written by BoBo Mama

Currently, a common phenomenon in China is that many girls are unable to find husbands. However, according to national statistics, the female population is only 685 million, which is over 30 million less than that of males. Under normal circumstances, one would expect many males to be “left single,” yet the reality is that many females remain unmarried. Why is this the case?

Moreover, among the 30 million university students in China, the proportion of female students is significantly higher than that of male students. It is not an exaggeration to describe this situation as “male surplus, female deficit.” So why, despite having more boys than girls, do many universities exhibit a situation of “female surplus, male deficit”?

Why Are There More Female Than Male Students in Many Universities?

The first reason, which is widely acknowledged, is that girls generally perform better academically than boys from a young age. Therefore, it is not surprising that the enrollment rate for girls is significantly higher than that for boys. Additionally, girls tend to have more docile personalities, while boys, during their teenage years (ages 10 to 19), often exhibit rebellious behavior. This may be one of the reasons for the lower male enrollment rates in universities.

Another reason is related to the shift in societal attitudes. In the past, many believed that girls were meant to marry and that pursuing higher education was unnecessary. However, with the advancement of society, this notion has been largely discarded. Nowadays, more people believe that girls should also pursue education, which has significantly increased educational opportunities for them. This is another contributing factor.

So, where have all the boys gone?

According to national statistics, regardless of age, there are generally more males than females. However, the reality is that during the university stage, there is a noticeable female surplus. This raises curiosity about where the expected number of boys has gone.

One reason is that boys tend to be more rebellious during their teenage years and may not enjoy studying. Additionally, regional attitudes play a role; in some areas, boys may choose to enter the workforce immediately after middle school instead of pursuing high school education. This leads to a significant loss of male students at the transition from middle to high school.

The Phenomenon of Remaining Single Among Older Males and Females: What Are the Reasons?

Overall, the higher proportion of females in universities leads to higher educational attainment among women, which naturally results in the phenomenon of remaining single among both genders. According to data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the current marriage rate is only about 7%, and it has been declining for several consecutive years. This decline is closely related to the increasing educational levels of women.

It is commonly believed that highly educated women, such as female PhDs and Masters, find it difficult to marry because they are perceived as having strong personalities, making them less desirable as marriage partners. Furthermore, the number of suitable male partners with comparable education levels is also decreasing. As a result, many highly educated women often face ridicule from netizens.

However, Professor Wu Yaowu from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences has conducted research indicating that the true disadvantaged group in the marriage market is not highly educated women, but rather low-educated men from rural areas. These men often cannot provide a sense of “security” for women, leading to their lack of desirability.

Conclusion:

In summary, whether there are more males than females or vice versa, we should maintain an optimistic perspective on this issue. After all, these are circumstances we cannot prevent or change. Moreover, as more parents emphasize education, the situation of female surplus in universities may very well change in the future. We should simply view it as a normal occurrence.

What are your thoughts on the phenomenon of more female than male students in universities? Feel free to share your comments!

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I am BoBo Mama. Follow me for insights and questions; feel free to send me a private message, and I will respond promptly. I hope my suggestions can enlighten you as a parent and make your educational journey less lonely.