"One in Three Unsuitable for Marriage": 72-Year-Old Professor's Diagnosis Sparks Fierce Debate Among Chinese Netizens

Professor Liang Yongan's Three-Year-Old Video Resurfaces
"Marriage Requires the Ability to Care and Make Sacrifices"
Marriage Down 7.5% and Divorce Up 3.9% in China in First Half

A video of a Chinese university professor stating that "at least one-third of people are not suited for marriage" has sparked debate on Chinese online platforms as it continues to circulate widely.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on September 28, the person behind the comments is Professor Liang Yongan (72) of the Chinese Literature Department at Fudan University in Shanghai, China. Professor Liang, known for his outspoken views on youth dating, marriage, and societal change, has attracted nearly one million followers on Chinese social networking services (SNS).

Recently, a video of his interview from three years ago has resurfaced online. In the video, Professor Liang remarks, "At least one-third of people are not suitable for marriage," explaining that "marriage requires the ability to care for and make sacrifices for your partner." He further advised young people that "both individuals must accept devotion and concession," adding, "Mature first, then fall in love." His intent was to encourage young people to first understand themselves and develop independent personalities before entering romantic relationships.

Image related to marriage to assist in understanding the article. Pixabay

"The Right Age for Love Is 40"…Netizens Respond, "Marriage as Sacrifice? Outdated"

Professor Liang also suggested 40 as the appropriate age to begin romantic relationships, stating that one can only truly know themselves after accumulating enough life experience. He characterized modern society as the 'golden age of singlehood,' explaining that, as exemplified by Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," fulfilling relationships stem from self-understanding and maturity rather than actively seeking out a partner.

Some netizens agreed, commenting, "Self-centered individuals should avoid marriage because they may hurt their partners." However, one netizen questioned, "Does saying one-third of people aren't suited for marriage provide an excuse for not marrying, or does it merely raise the standards for marriage?" Others criticized the notion of marriage as a sacrifice as being overly old-fashioned. There were also critiques pointing out that relationships portrayed in literature and films are often idealized and fail to address real-life issues such as economic pressure, family support, and gender roles.

Professor Liang Yongan (72) of the Chinese Literature Department at Fudan University in Shanghai, China, speaking about his views on marriage during an interview on a Douyin channel.

Marriage Registrations Down 7.5% and Divorces Up 3.9% in China in the First Half of the Year; Incentives Not Enough

According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs of China, in the first half of this year, 3.275 million couples registered for marriage, a decrease of 264,000 couples (7.5%) compared to one year ago. Meanwhile, 1,383,000 couples registered for divorce, an increase of 52,000 couples (3.9%). This amounts to approximately 42 divorces per 100 marriages. As more young people no longer view marriage as an essential life stage, the so-called "one-person economy," including solo dining, emotional companionship services, and increased spending on pets, is also expanding.

Chinese authorities are making marriage registration procedures simpler and offering newlyweds free health checkups and consumption coupons to encourage marriage. Some local governments have set up marriage registration counters in banks, shopping centers, and subway stations. However, there is criticism that such policies alone are insufficient to reverse young people's reluctance to marry, given persistent uncertainties about employment, the burden of housing and child-rearing costs, and the challenge of balancing work and family life.

Meanwhile, the number of marriages is on the rise in South Korea. According to the Ministry of Data and Statistics' "2025 Marriage and Divorce Statistics," the number of marriages last year was 240,326, an 8.1% increase from the previous year, continuing a growth trend for the third consecutive year. The average age of first marriage was 33.9 years for men and 31.6 years for women.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.