Leta Hong Fincher discusses the societal pressures facing young Chinese women

In her book “Leftover Women, The Resurgence of Gender Inequality in China” (Zed Books, 2014), award-winning journalist, Leta Hong Fincher describes the pressure for China’s “leftover women” to settle down. A recent article by Yahoo! cites her book to explain “leftover women” and their fight back as a result of organised feminist movements, and the proliferation of social media.

In her book, Fincher describes “what distinguishes mainland China is the massive state propaganda machine pushing the message that educated young women should marry and have children young, for the good of Chinese society.”

Authorities have coined the term “leftover women” to shame and scare urban professionals into settling down, and having babies. She explores what has been important steps forward in the women’s rights movement, “Word got around quickly and people were talking about the issues facing women, and sexism in China today. Again, this discussion is new. Younger women I have spoken to do feel they want more of a say over their lives.”

Regarding the new announcement that China is ending it’s one-child policy, “We are likely to see new propaganda urging urban, educated women to have two children. This may well create new pressures on women in their twenties to marry, so they can schedule in time to have two children, but it’s too early to tell.”

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For more information, or to book Leta Hong Fincher as a keynote speaker for your conference or event, please contact Raleigh Addington at [email protected] or call 0044 (0) 20 7792 8000.