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Liya Su

A man in China who gave his 33-year-old wife an ultimatum to have a child within two years or he will divorce her has trended on mainland social media.
The woman from Zhejiang province in eastern China, identified in mainland media by the nickname Xiaomei, sought advice online after refusing her husband’s demand for a baby.
Star Video reported that her husband allegedly threatened to divorce her if she did not get pregnant by the time she was 35 years old.
The couple has been happily married for two years, according to Xiaomei, who said she was shocked when her husband delivered his ultimatum about having children.
“Just because I don’t want to have a baby, he will divorce me,” Xiaomei told Star Video.
She said her husband had set the deadline of two years because he claimed that having a baby after 35 would harm her health.

Xiaomei said she felt that having a child would lower the couple’s quality of life.
“Baby or divorce. He tells me that he will divorce me if I don’t want to give birth,” she said.
She had also been put off having children after seeing her best friend suffer major internal bleeding from childbirth and be ignored by her family, who she said only cared about the baby.
She added that her mother and mother-in-law had also pressured her to have a child.
“If you don’t have children, what will you do when you grow old?” they reportedly told her.

Despite her objection to have a child, Xiaomei said the pressure had overwhelmed her, prompting her to seek online advice, which has since gone viral on mainland social media and caused significant debate.
One person claimed: “Not having a child is wrong. You may feel regret when you are old. Having your child will make you happier.”
Another commenter said: “Living without a child is fine. Everyone has their own lifestyle choice.”
Stories about women being pressured to have children in China often cause intense online discussion. In 2021, a little boy in eastern China urged his mother to have a second child, surprising many people on mainland social media.
In the same year, a woman in northern China who was forced by her mother to plan for a second child as soon as she had given birth to her first went viral.


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Trending in China

‘Baby or divorce’: woman, 33, given ultimatum by husband to have child in 2 years begs for help online, renewing debate in China on pressures women face

China is facing a population crisis but many women continue to say “no” to having babies. Photo: SCMP composite 

Very often women in China face pressure from their own families to have a child despite their strong objections. Photo: Shutterstock

Xiaomei says seeing the way her friend was treated by her family after a difficult birth left her with internal bleeding had also contributed to her decision not to have a child. Photo: Shutterstock

‘Chow Yun-fat of Pakistan’: Hong Kong ethnic minority boy, 10, tipped for stardom by iconic city actor Anthony Wong after film awards win

Veteran Hong Kong movie star Anthony Wong Chau-sang has heaped praise on 10-year-old ethnic minority actor Sahal Zaman after the youngster scooped Best New Performer at the city’s recent film awards. Photo: SCMP composite

10-year-old Hong Kong ethnic minority actor Sahal Zaman has been tipped for stardom by veteran Hong Kong movie star Anthony Wong Chau-sang after winning Best New Performer at the Hong Kong Film Awards. Photo: SCMP composite

Actress Michelle Yeoh is all smiles after presenting Sahal Zaman with his Best New Performer award. Photo: Sam Tsang

Anthony Wong Chau-sang and Sahal Zaman have built a special bond while working together. Photo: MyVideo

‘Do you love me?’: 100-year-old Chinese woman asks husband, 98, about his feelings in video that touches millions online

Millions of people on mainland social media have been moved by video clips of loving conversations between a 100-year-old Chinese woman and her 98-year-old husband. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

Online video clips of loving conversations between a 100-year-old Chinese woman and her 98-year-old husband have moved many people on mainland social media. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

The 100-year-old wife makes sure her husband expresses his feelings. Photo: Douyin

Stories about enduring love involving elderly people often create a lot of interest on mainland social media. Photo: Getty Images

‘Thank you car’: man in China kowtowing in thanks to vehicle in farewell ritual before buying replacement trends on mainland social media

The video showed the husband performing the ritual with a flaming torch as he kowtowed in front of the car in thanks for its “companionship” for eight years. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo

The man’s wife says the car had special meaning as it was the first vehicle they had ever owned. Photo: Weibo

Mainland social media users found the video of the man’s farewell to the family car sweet and touching. Photo: Shutterstock

‘Worry box’ set up by Chinese teacher gives pupils secret outlet for fears and anxieties while highlighting country’s common family problems

Notes written by school children and dropped into a “worry box” set up by a teacher in China have moved many people online and sparked a discussion about family problems on mainland social media. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

Many people online have been moved by the poignant notes that school children left in a “worry box” created by their teacher. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

The “worry box” was filled with concerns the children had about their parents. Photo: Douyin

An online discussion the notes have prompted comes at a time of mounting anxiety over youth suicide in China. Photo: Douyin

‘Too dangerous! So we smashed it’: China’s famous ‘Test of Courage’ cliff edge removed for safety after cracks from daredevil tourists taking photos appear

According to some mainland tour guides, “Test of Courage” Rock is much thinner and less sturdy than other famous ledges. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

A local official says a warning sign erected near the rock last year had not deterred people from climbing on the rock. Photo: Douyin

Debate on mainland social media about the destruction of the rock has divided opinions as some argue it should have been preserved, and others say it was too dangerous to remain. Photo: Douyin

News

People & Culture

Social Welfare

A woman in China is begging for help after her husband threatened her with divorce if she does not have a baby
She says the pressure from her family is overwhelming, prompting her to seek online advice, which has gone viral


A woman who is being threatened with divorce by her husband unless she has a baby within 2 years begs for help online, renewing the debate on pressures faced by wives in China.


China society

‘Baby or divorce’: woman, 33, given ultimatum by husband to have child in 2 years begs for help online, renewing debate in China on pressures women face

A woman in China is begging for help after her husband threatened her with divorce if she does not have a baby She says the pressure from her family is overwhelming, prompting her to seek online advice, which has gone viral

A woman in China is begging for help after her husband threatened her with divorce if she does not have a baby

She says the pressure from her family is overwhelming, prompting her to seek online advice, which has gone viral