Women with high educational credentials, qualities and incomes usually find it difficult to find their Mr. Right, according to the latest statistics by the marriage and family consulting service center of the Beijing Women's Association.

The center, as the only non-corporate marriage agency in Beijing, has had a total of 1,537 members since it was established over a year ago. The ratio of females to males at the center is 2:1.

Nearly half of the female members have at least a bachelor's degree. "Many women have pursued post graduate or PhD degrees, so they have not been able to find partners, and now they are in their thirties," said Shang, the spokeswoman with the center, adding that many women don't dare to tell others they have a Master or PhD degree for fear of appearing too outstanding to attract a man.

Women in seven job categories have the most difficulties finding someone to love: teachers, lawyers, white-collar employees with foreign-invested companies, medical staff, accountants, translators and statisticians. They are usually too busy to date, Shang pointed out.

The new social environment has made women focus more on job competition. Today, they plan to have their own career before getting married, said He Liying, vice chairman with the Beijing marriage and family association. However, due to social conventions, men, even older men, have more choices than women, He stressed.

Young women should plan their lives well, and get married and have babies at the right age, He added.

(eastday.com April 23, 2005)