Shanghai men have long been labeled as ideal husbands for most Chinese women. But what are the ideal wives in these ideal husbands’ eyes?
A recent survey offers some clues.
In Shanghai men’ mind, the first choice for their wives’ job is a position in government or state-owned units, the survey reports. And even more men with a higher education background echo this statement. Clerks are the second choice for jobs next to civil servants. The worst job listed in the study is a self-employed store owner, even for those men who take the same jobs.
Analyzed by age group, none of the men between 20 and 24 want their wives to drop their jobs, while those above 30 with more income prefer their wives to stay at home caring for family members.
Men with higher salaries care less about their wives’ occupations.
And older men with a higher education don't want to marry women in management posts, who might be domineering.
Contrary to the assumption that men seldom care about how much their wives earn, the survey indicates that actually men do mind. Forty seven percent of those surveyed said they would like to see the husband and wife have similar incomes. Only 2 percent of the men think it is OK if their wives earn much less than them, while 4 percent don't care if their wives have any income. And 15 percent of the men prefer their wives to make more money than themselves.
As to the wife's educational background, the survey shows that women with two or three years of college education are a popular choice. One-third of the men surveyed said they would chose such a college graduate. These women are believed to be a more moderate choice than those with higher education or minimal education.
Another one-third of the men prefer women with a four-year university degree or higher, while the other third would choose women with no higher-education experience.
Personality is another concern of men in choosing wives. According to the survey, half of the men like their wives to be open and outgoing, while the others prefer the qualities of gentleness and obedience.
The survey also shows that women with independent, capable and strong personalities win men's admiration but not their love.
(eastday.com 12/01/2000)
