1. + The Likelihood of Marriage for Educated, Urban Chinese Women with High Income Levels EDUCATION INCOME PROFESSION FAMILY FUTURE

2. + Literature Review Women’s increasing role in the labor force makes them more independent, and furthermore, the higher their educational attainment, the more independent women become. (Qian, 1998) The country (China) has promoted gender equality since the late 1970s, especially in education equality and employment opportunities. (“Gender Equality”, n.d) The advancement of women in this way shifted them from a traditional role in the family to a contemporary role in society. This transformation can change the intimate aspects in heterosexual relationships, because men may generate defensive responses to protect their self-esteem, self-conception and patterns of personal option. (Rapport, 1975)

3. + Literature Review According to conventional model, the male is the head of the household. He holds most of the power in the marital relationships. He is older, larger, more educated, higher earning and his occupational status is superior that of his wife. (Yogen, 1981) Patrick Coughlin and Jay Wade from Fordham University found that traditional men feel miserable in a relationship if their female partner earns more money than he does. Their research also shows that the man as the breadwinner is still the accepted norm in marriage, supporting the husband’s power and authority in the family. (Wood, 2012)

4. + UN DATABASE 2000-2010, 12% drop in first marriage rate within the same demographic among aged 24-29 Sex ratio – 107.4 male for every 100 females in 2010. Not only in China the first marriage rate dropped, but also the US. Since 1970, 10% drop in first marriage rate among 24-29 for each decade.

5. + Methodology Quantitative Survey Survey Questionnaire Designed Original Data Collection Snowball method 120 surveys sent out 61 responses were valid for analysis

6. + Results 59% of the respondents are not married

7. + Education vs Marriage

8. + 45% not married in lower education category 69% not married in higher education category

9. + Profession & Income vs Marriage No correlation- 68% not married in high income level 57% not married in low income level