The next generation may not be as extreme as their parents, but Chinese men tend to assume they have to do everything for their girlfriends, in trivial ways that are rarely seen in the US or Europe.

How often do you see a guy carry his girlfriend's purse? You do in China. How often do you see a young girl whine at her boyfriend in an almost bitchy way but the boy just tries everything to soothe her in public? You see it everyday in China. She's not really that bitchy, she just enjoys the way she's spoiled by her boyfriend, who acquires a sense of security and power by tolerating his little girl's behavior.

Out of curiosity I once asked one of my male friends, who pays all the rent for the apartment where he and his girlfriend live together, "Why do you have to pay for everything?" His answer was, "She's such a fine girl and she spends the best years of her life with me. That's her youth and I have to cherish it and be nice to her." But isn't a guy's youth also precious? Why is it only girls' best time that is worth money?

The Chinese society has witnessed great changes in women's status in the past few decades, as there're senior female officials, successful woman entrepreneurs, intellectuals and artists everywhere.

But deep in their hearts, women still want men who are richer, more mature, and who can provide and take care of them. That may explain in part why there are a lot more single men than women in China.

In big cities you actually see more single girls who hunt for available men. It's not ridiculous. The reason is simple: There're just not enough good, that is, rich, guys for them. The girls would rather be single than go out with a boy with an empty wallet.

I don't mean to judge which is better, the kind of men who love to provide or the kind of men who value financial equality more. But if women want to be treated equally, maybe they should stop looking for men who treat them like little girls.

The author works for an American news broadcaster and currently lives in Beijing. gubo1978@gmail.com