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Why search for love in the ‘iron rice bowl’ may be killing growth in northern China
- Paper shows having a government job may outrank salary, education, ability, appearance or love for young Chinese seeking a partner
Reading Time:3 minutes
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Phoebe Zhangin Shenzhen
When she was growing up in a small town in China’s northeast, Lisa Li’s parents constantly reminded her of the importance of getting a government job.
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“They told me it provides security. It’s a real job. You won’t just be working to earn a living,” she said.
In keeping with her parents’ wishes, after graduating from college in 2013, Li sat the test for a job at China’s foreign ministry. But she failed to get in.
Next, she tried for a clerical job with the military, and failed again.
“I felt that I desired freedom too much to get in,” said Li, who now works as a website editor in Beijing.
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