No sooner did I finish the previous post, when I discovered this China Daily article on dating in Chongqing, with a mention of Shanghai and Beijing thrown in for good measure.   Seems its just as hard for twenty-somethings to meet each other in Sichuan as it is in New York.  So, city fathers organized a "Singles Festival," where the young and available could meet and greet.   Of course, someone found a way to take a swipe at modernity and individualism:

Professor Hou from the Faculty of Social Science at Chongqing Normal
University said the so-called "bachelor culture" was a rebellion against
traditional values.

"In most cases today, it’s out of choice," she said, adding that many single
people are educated and financially independent. By choosing to stay single,
they can pursue their individual freedom whereas marriage implies more social
responsibility.

     Now, if she’s really a social scientist she would also mention that the "bachelor culture" is becoming increasingly prevelant because there are fewer Chinese women.   And that shortage of the fairer sex a direct result of certain "traditional" ideas: like the one having to do with favoring sons over daughters.  I don’t want to get into a fight about Confucianism here, but I’d just say its not just about the Venerable Sage; patriarchy is to be found in other parts of the world (notice how the same problem manifests in India). 

     And Professor Hou should be a bit more precise in what she means by "tradition."  Chinese parents have long been concerned with finding rich husbands for their daughters.  Marrying up is a practice with deep historical roots.  So, it is not so strange to see one Auntie with her eyes on the prize:

Among the crowd was Mrs Tang, 50, who accompanied her 28-year-old niece.

She hoped the young woman could catch the attention of a wealthy man.

"There are many talented people here. But what is important is to find a
husband with a car and a house," she said.

    Sounds pretty traditional to me…