“Sheng Nv”: empowerment and identity formation of high educated and unmarried females towards marriage and family in urban China

Abstract

The term “Sheng Nv” is officially used to describe women who have reached an age where society typically expects them to be married, but they remain unmarried. The study aims to explore how traditional Chinese culture and societal expectations regarding gender roles affect the lives of unmarried women. It also investigates how unmarried women with high academic qualifications in urban China navigate the process of empowerment and forming their own identities in the face of traditional family and marriage norms. The central focus of this research is on women’s empowerment to focus on a specific group of unmarried, educated, urban Chinese women who are of marriageable age and have a high level of education. The study primarily utilizes qualitative research methods such as in-depth interviews, key information interviews, and online informal interviews. The idea of self-empowerment will be used to focus on a specific group of unmarried, educated, urban Chinese women who are of marriageable age and have a high level of education. This research discovered that as society progresses and the economy improves, along with increased education for women and a modern outlook on marriage and family, women's position in both the family and society has gotten better. Nowadays, women are not solely dependent on marriage but instead prioritize their personal growth. This shift towards empowerment can be seen through four stages: building confidence in oneself, gaining a deeper understanding and awareness of important issues, developing necessary skills and thinking abilities, and actively engaging with like-minded individuals who share similar aspirations.