Frozen in Time: the motherhood dilemma for single women in China

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  • čas přidán 4. 09. 2024
  • Fertility tourism is booming for single Chinese women with hopes of future motherhood.
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    China's birthrate is at a record low, yet unmarried women are not legally allowed to freeze their eggs there. We meet Lei and Abu, as they travel to the US for the procedure - battling self-doubt and scepticism along the way. What does this mean for womanhood and parenting in modern China?
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    #frozenintime #fertilitytourism #china #birthrate #women

Komentáře • 774

  • @mannyme2986
    @mannyme2986 Před měsícem +1067

    The influencer reminds me of something I have read recently:
    This is the generation with the happiest pictures and the saddest lives.

    • @blbjg5294
      @blbjg5294 Před měsícem +98

      It's not like before was better. Just listen to old people, the awful things they went through and the hardships... We always tend to look back and think life was better, but is wasn't... It's just our brain tricking us

    • @Dhyaam5989
      @Dhyaam5989 Před měsícem +17

      ​@@blbjg5294True. Some things were always better than past while some things are always better than past.

    • @Turnpost2552
      @Turnpost2552 Před měsícem +9

      In Chinas Case things are alllllllloooottt better. There gdp was worse than Indias at one point.

    • @natashadickson4819
      @natashadickson4819 Před měsícem +1

      ​​@@blbjg5294 Yes. Same as before.

    • @nexusyang4832
      @nexusyang4832 Před měsícem +2

      Ain’t that the truth….

  • @sirmadam8183
    @sirmadam8183 Před měsícem +568

    Thank you soooooo much for not dubbing the voices. I enjoy hearing the real voices.

    • @LiberRaider
      @LiberRaider Před měsícem +5

      It is interesting, I agree. The one downside is I can't listen to the documentary as I do chores. That's why I prefer dubbed.

  • @Van_TT
    @Van_TT Před měsícem +230

    I found this documentary to be more engaging due to the cinematic storytelling. Well done to all involved!

  • @Alex-pr6zv
    @Alex-pr6zv Před měsícem +261

    The ending with the flame burning low and then petering out is very a poignant reminder that time takes no prisoners.

  • @beaumont4045
    @beaumont4045 Před měsícem +913

    Had a conversation with a colleague of mine back when I was stationed in Beijing. I asked them "China has an excess of 40 million men in the population as compared to women. How come there are so much negative news about women not being able to find a partner?" Then my colleague replied "Yes, there is an excess of men, but there is a deficit of GOOD men." So, yea... can't really argue against that logic.

    • @frenzybuzz3703
      @frenzybuzz3703 Před měsícem +26

      Exactly 💯

    • @frenzybuzz3703
      @frenzybuzz3703 Před měsícem +150

      Better to stay single than staying in unhealthy relationship.

    • @shinbi6009
      @shinbi6009 Před měsícem +1

      Its just Chinese women are picky and want the top 10%.

    • @shinbi6009
      @shinbi6009 Před měsícem +132

      All women thinks this way.

    • @alienkishorekumar
      @alienkishorekumar Před měsícem +135

      They all think they can do better.

  • @selimae8539
    @selimae8539 Před měsícem +307

    Stunning documentary. Congratulations to the film makers and best wishes to the two women.

  • @zevil89
    @zevil89 Před měsícem +277

    People have to realize that East Asia has this weird culture wherein before you get married, the guy should already have a house and the guy solely pays for the wedding. In addition, the guy pays for the household expenses. The woman's income is solely hers and for her parents' support. There was this video in Asian Boss where a Chinese girl clearly said in China the guys pay for everything and she's break up with a guy who makes her pay her share. As to how the common person will be able to buy a house by his 30's is beyond me.
    Such burden is impossible in modern society where cost of living has risen to unreasonable figures. Even in the US, couples can't afford to be single income households.
    This is the reason why birth rate is down in ALL of East Asia. I don't know why this is not being talked about.

    • @hanispeace8006
      @hanispeace8006 Před měsícem +57

      Not a weird culture though, its a man responsibility. If you cant take the responsibility means you cant afford to get married.

    • @sparkyin3d
      @sparkyin3d Před měsícem

      So, take it up with the government, don’t blame the women. They are as much of a victim as the men.

    • @mysterioanonymous3206
      @mysterioanonymous3206 Před měsícem +78

      ​@@hanispeace8006😂 total b s

    • @kreedo5884
      @kreedo5884 Před měsícem +70

      ​@@hanispeace8006 by that faulty logic, if the woman can't find a husband that can pay all the bills and provide a house, then she doesn't have the right to bare children.

    • @slevinlindsay3624
      @slevinlindsay3624 Před měsícem +13

      "Weird" Culture?? have you watched Jerry Springer?

  • @sirmadam8183
    @sirmadam8183 Před měsícem +180

    Whoever produced this did an amazing job.

    • @Goosher
      @Goosher Před měsícem +6

      Exactly! so glad they made this

  • @adw6894
    @adw6894 Před měsícem +424

    I realize that people are very active in criticizing single moms, but they say nothing about men who abandon his children and don't even pay child support. Single moms are way better than those irresponsible dads.

    • @tigerbear3038
      @tigerbear3038 Před měsícem +77

      What the heck are you talking about? These men are criticized just the same. And, child support is a more complicated issue. If a man was tricked into conceiving a child or the woman is initiated a divorce, then these might be some situations where it is not just for a man to pay child support.

    • @lenzi1345
      @lenzi1345 Před měsícem +63

      ​@@tigerbear3038 if the woman initiated a divorce the Man should not support his children?
      This is an absurd connection to make..

    • @tigerbear3038
      @tigerbear3038 Před měsícem +23

      @@lenzi1345 he should be given the choice if he wants to pay or not. Which part of it is absurd ?

    • @Jespidi
      @Jespidi Před měsícem +50

      @@tigerbear3038 His kids too. What logic is this?

    • @lenzi1345
      @lenzi1345 Před měsícem +16

      @@tigerbear3038 so its the woman should be given the choice if she wants to care about the child.
      If she doesnt wants it than its the man's task

  • @beatpirate8
    @beatpirate8 Před měsícem +137

    this so parallels my life in the US as a single working woman. i wish for more but hard to make a life plan on your own. wishing you both much luck through your journey in life

    • @Fujian5481
      @Fujian5481 Před měsícem +35

      The problem is that These 30's career women are only ready to marry men who are richer than herself, more educated than herself and getting more salary than herself.. But, these "top rich men" want to marry only 20's women. They don’t want to marry 30's career women. And these 30's career women are not willing to marry the poor men who are ready to marry her.. So, she remains unmarried forever.. while, The poor men go to the villages and marry poor women or marry women from Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines etc..

    • @Persistentdreamer91
      @Persistentdreamer91 Před měsícem +9

      Sending love and positivity from 🇦🇺🤗 life has a way of surprising us, wishing you the best.

    • @nityasg2260
      @nityasg2260 Před měsícem

      @@Fujian5481 Search about divorce rates of those marriages 2 & 5 years after those women get green card.

    • @suziepickes702
      @suziepickes702 Před měsícem +17

      ​@@Fujian5481 incel

    • @rafaeldolfe
      @rafaeldolfe Před měsícem +4

      @@suziepickes702 im curious, what do you think is the reason for the problem?

  • @Barbarossa-heir
    @Barbarossa-heir Před měsícem +66

    When she cried during that one rare dialogue with her father , I felt her deep and cried my heart out ...😢😢
    So many things lost , with little affection.

    • @Blytheville2830
      @Blytheville2830 Před měsícem +33

      What is there to cry about? It's not that no man wants to marry these 30's career women. There are many poor men who want to marry her. The problem is that she is not ready to marry any of the poor men who want to marry her. She is ready to marry only rich men. And the rich men, whom she is trying to marry are not interested in marrying older 30's women like her. These rich men reject 30's career women and marry the younger 20's women. So, these 30's career women remain unmarried forever. In China, They are called leftover women.. And there are 100 million highly educated, high salary leftover women in China..

    • @chrismeyers5963
      @chrismeyers5963 Před měsícem +19

      @@Blytheville2830 This, this right here, thank you. It seems a lot of goofballs in the comment section seem to not understand this 1 single bit because of their ego and wanting to blame men instead of holding women and their " decisions " accountable

    • @illapuproductions
      @illapuproductions Před měsícem +5

      @@Blytheville2830exactly she played herself

    • @saharkhalili5303
      @saharkhalili5303 Před měsícem +17

      All the incel microsphere bros in your replies 💀

    • @chrismeyers5963
      @chrismeyers5963 Před měsícem +6

      @@saharkhalili5303 Hmm, I'm not an incel my friend, stating facts doesn't make 1 an incel but bashing those who speak those facts does

  • @9000ck
    @9000ck Před měsícem +61

    What a beautifully made documentary. You rarely come across something of this quality. Plus - it is well edited.

  • @AArco-vc1jj
    @AArco-vc1jj Před 21 dnem +8

    "Humanity has no remedy for regret"
    Wow, that hit hard.

  • @nickelandimed
    @nickelandimed Před měsícem +86

    My husband and I are Chinese-American. We have 8 cats and 1 dog. We are expecting our first child next year at the age of 38. We spend very little time on social media. There's a lot of advice I could give but for now I want to say...if the world had less judgment and competition between people, and instead more unity and compassion, everyone will prosper.

    • @koalatheworld
      @koalatheworld Před měsícem +4

      I love it when you mentioned you had 8 cats ❤ I am a cat parent too 😊

    • @timetravellergec2043
      @timetravellergec2043 Před měsícem +2

      Haya, 38 for first child???

    • @whatrtheodds
      @whatrtheodds Před měsícem +12

      Congratulations 🎉 I'm expecting my first at 36 😊

    • @nickelandimed
      @nickelandimed Před měsícem +6

      ​@@whatrtheodds Congrats to you as well 🎊 I hope you are doing well on your life's journeys 💜

    • @st.6959
      @st.6959 Před 16 dny

      @@timetravellergec2043 this is more common now

  • @WillowEverlight
    @WillowEverlight Před měsícem +148

    That's ridiculous that it's illegal there to freeze your eggs if you're not married.

    • @ablamill8357
      @ablamill8357 Před měsícem

      It's an oppressive law by and oppressive lawmaking society.

    • @nityasg2260
      @nityasg2260 Před měsícem +52

      Everyone's solution for low birth rate is somehow creating more pressure on women instead of making reproductive care / fertility treatment more accessible. You got some states in USA going after IVF . Here you got China that was talking about low birth rate concerns making it difficult for women to access fertility care . Eventually they'll probably see a 4B situation like SK .

    • @tigerbear3038
      @tigerbear3038 Před měsícem +14

      It should be illegal.

    • @ablamill8357
      @ablamill8357 Před měsícem +30

      It's a symptom of an oppressive society

    • @samysdefer
      @samysdefer Před měsícem +11

      conservative countries behave like that

  • @hl3517
    @hl3517 Před měsícem +22

    This is the era where we can choose our own freedom to take care our body, health & financial. Marriage is a big step of sacrifice to these 3 things. It even depletes our time & mind. Be mindfulness to pick the choice because it is gonna drag you to the sadness or happiness.. Create your own path not follow others.

  • @jlindsa
    @jlindsa Před měsícem +18

    Egg freezing is a borderline scam. By and large it, it helps women to feel better but that's mostly it.
    Various journalist have been reporting on the industry, what they promise, what the success rate looks like, and even when happens to the patients after they freeze their eggs. Whenever there is money to be made on people that feel "desperate" for a solution, its worth looking deeper at those companies.

  • @frenzybuzz3703
    @frenzybuzz3703 Před měsícem +192

    Chinese womem are doing great. Its infinity times better than being stuck in incompatible relationship like my aunts they are tortured in marriage

    •  Před měsícem +56

      Do these women look happy to you?

    • @blbjg5294
      @blbjg5294 Před měsícem +64

      Yes... Definitely more than the ones stuck in an unwanted marriage

    • @Fujian5481
      @Fujian5481 Před měsícem +38

      These 30's career women are only ready to men who are richer than herself, more educated than herself and getting more salary than herself.. But, these "rich men" want to marry only 20's women. They don’t want to marry 30's career women. And these 30's career women are not willing to marry the poor men who are ready to marry her.. So, she remains unmarried forever.. The poor men go to the villages and marry poor women or marry women from Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines etc..

    • @adw6894
      @adw6894 Před měsícem +1

      @@Fujian5481 Those "rich men" who want young girls are not genuine men anyway, they will cheat on their wives late. So unmarried 30 years old woman with a stable career and social life gonna be happier than being wives of those ungenuine men.

    • @adw6894
      @adw6894 Před měsícem +36

      @@Fujian5481 Wise women would not want those men anyway

  • @JohnSmith-mj8hn
    @JohnSmith-mj8hn Před měsícem +152

    "Translator: William Clegg"
    I guess that explains some of the inaccuracies and mistranslations that don't quite fit what was spoken.
    Just one example: "he zuo huo ban" is better off translated as "co-partner" or "co-operative partner". "Co-producer" conjures up such a different image and impression of what was said.

    • @sunbather1576
      @sunbather1576 Před měsícem +23

      @@user-sz3cy2sm2w Actually, she looks and especially acts exactly like the kind of person that would call her partner a "co-producer". (EDIT: which doesn't mean that it isn't an incorrect translation, of course!)

    • @ozlekosusturu
      @ozlekosusturu Před měsícem +8

      Oooooh ok that does change the vibe.

    • @tiapina7048
      @tiapina7048 Před měsícem +14

      I don't understand. Why the name of the translator gives you an explanation about the translation?

    • @mannyme2986
      @mannyme2986 Před měsícem +1

      ​@@sunbather1576 I thought the same!!

    • @jorsm.3893
      @jorsm.3893 Před měsícem +20

      @@tiapina7048 I don't get it either + a literal translation is not always the best translation. She grinned right after as well, which seems to indicate she found what she said a bit funny, in that sense "co-producer" doesn't sound bad at all.

  • @Youwish34
    @Youwish34 Před měsícem +6

    Losing a mother is grief like no other

  • @goodgamernavi
    @goodgamernavi Před měsícem +35

    Incredibly well done, I rarely have seen such good documentaries it feels the most human and yet so cinematic I have seen to date so props to you Guardian, keep it up.

  • @randomjack1995
    @randomjack1995 Před měsícem +6

    A disillusioned generation, our younger citizens were raise in a very optimistic period, but in their formative years everything is going worse.

  • @mel_issa__
    @mel_issa__ Před měsícem +32

    Would love a documentary playlist @Guardian

    • @theGuardian
      @theGuardian  Před měsícem +22

      No problem, here it is: czcams.com/play/PLa_1MA_DEorG7slzdtQy_SUTn5cACKFsn.html

    • @ishunyu
      @ishunyu Před 15 dny

      @@theGuardian Ask and theGuardian shall deliver!

  • @janoraj4667
    @janoraj4667 Před měsícem +7

    I feel so lucky to have a family this could easily have been me. I hope they will find their happiness

  • @NateTheNarrator
    @NateTheNarrator Před měsícem +3

    8:44 "Humankind has no remedy for regret. You must remember this."
    I felt those words in my soul because of how they ring so true. This life is no dress rehearsal, there are no do-overs or "load last save" options. The decisions we make can shape one's life, for better or for worse.

  • @lucasgdrezes
    @lucasgdrezes Před měsícem +59

    There are things you just don't tell your family. Specially when you already know they'll be against it.

    • @weidchar1646
      @weidchar1646 Před měsícem +9

      They weren't harsh or anything. Simply giving their advice on what they think would lead to their daughter(s) having happier lives. What's the problem with that?

    • @evevoxx2053
      @evevoxx2053 Před měsícem +13

      that one guy had some serious well thought out n deep foresight. he knows exactly where this is going. they wont lower their standards or settle now cuz they think they have this plan b.... why cant people understand that peace, belonging & relationships are a choice that requires hard work and dedication.

    • @1HeatWalk
      @1HeatWalk Před 28 dny

      ​I agree. His point of her using this method and pushing the need to find a compatible partner sooner holds true.

    • @rc3398x
      @rc3398x Před 25 dny +2

      Your advice is actually horrible. This won't end well. She is delaying the inevitable.

  • @dorothynwude191
    @dorothynwude191 Před 3 dny +1

    This is very enlightening, I enjoyed it. Having a chinese friend really helped me understand the different mindset, she said she would get married because she feels obligated to do so, and not doing so would bring shame to her family. She also told me of how despite being well off, her mother's family she was treated because of the fact that she was a girl. So yes, I'm all for single women going ahead and having children on their own, no child deserves to be their grandparents' less loved relative, nor do women deserve to have to settle down in loveless marriages.

  • @RichardPonsford-kv2uy
    @RichardPonsford-kv2uy Před měsícem +62

    It ain’t the 60’s no more. Women are independent, and the pipe and slippers days are well and truly over.

    • @yadusolparterre
      @yadusolparterre Před měsícem +15

      Women? Independent? In China? HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!

    • @adw6894
      @adw6894 Před měsícem +11

      @@yadusolparterre Yes. And that makes you mad?

    • @Rocambole7482
      @Rocambole7482 Před měsícem +25

      A woman ain't single and lonely because she is Strong and Independent.. She is lonely because Nobody wants To Deal with her..

    • @DeniDays312
      @DeniDays312 Před měsícem +22

      ​@Rhodohypoxis7482 does the same thing go for the millions of American men who are suicidal due to being lonely and sexless?

    • @darthvader3910
      @darthvader3910 Před měsícem

      Niiiice ​@@DeniDays312

  • @drummerfreak69
    @drummerfreak69 Před měsícem +54

    should do one from the Male perspective.. it will be interesting to see the similarities and contrast..

    • @Fujian5481
      @Fujian5481 Před měsícem +34

      This is the male perspective... The poor Chinese men go to the villages and marry poor women or marry women from Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines etc.. These 30's career women are only ready to men who are richer than herself, more educated than herself and getting more salary than herself.. But, these "rich men" want to marry only 20's women. They don’t want to marry 30's career women. And these 30's career women are not willing to marry the poor men who are ready to marry her.. So, she remains unmarried forever..

    • @DeniDays312
      @DeniDays312 Před měsícem +14

      ​@Fontana5481 what documentary did you see that in?

    • @douglei4413
      @douglei4413 Před měsícem

      ​@@DeniDays312. CZcams. "Leftover woman."

    • @skillbopster
      @skillbopster Před měsícem +4

      LOL the guardian is anti-male.

    • @rpaafourever7908
      @rpaafourever7908 Před měsícem +14

      ​@@Fujian5481 Over simplified.. men need to learn to look within and become emotionally intelligent.. projecting blaming as reality check wont cut it anymore

  • @dominicm255
    @dominicm255 Před měsícem +6

    This is deep. I hope the film makers continue to work together. Fantastic. Thank you

  • @FuuzBeeen
    @FuuzBeeen Před měsícem +65

    The orange hair lady with one of her family members telling her that she'll regret it, come on...and the dark haired lady got cheated on by him? man, both of these women look nice to me, I think they would be nice to get to know if they also have the intended promise of a family.

    • @wl6020
      @wl6020 Před měsícem +33

      Their standards are very high. Average chinese women are looking for a top 20% guy at minnimum.

    • @letsdomath1750
      @letsdomath1750 Před měsícem +48

      @@wl6020 The influencer had a partner already. He was not loyal. Her standards were not high enough.

    • @wl6020
      @wl6020 Před měsícem +20

      @@letsdomath1750 oh her standards are high enough. He is not loyal because he has options, while an average chinese guy has no options. Biggest question is, can she lock him down and have him buy a ring, marry her.

    • @natashadickson4819
      @natashadickson4819 Před měsícem +21

      ​@@wl6020 Don't lock down an unfaithful man. Let him go.

    • @wl6020
      @wl6020 Před měsícem +14

      @@natashadickson4819 unfaithful men is unfaithful for a reason, it means he is doing something right to have so many options, either tall, rich, has game, handsome etc. Women wont settle for a average man with average height, money, etc.

  • @tonyah3488
    @tonyah3488 Před měsícem +31

    Beautifully made and so poignant

  • @counterculture10
    @counterculture10 Před měsícem +29

    This is a very interesting documentary. As a Western man who has no experience on this topic, I really felt for these ladies. They seemed genuine and longed to be mothers. I hope they attain their dreams.

    • @Blytheville2830
      @Blytheville2830 Před měsícem +12

      It's not that no man wants to marry these 30's career women. There are many poor men who want to marry her. The problem is that she is not ready to marry any of the poor men who want to marry her. She is ready to marry only rich men. And the rich men, whom she is trying to marry are not interested in marrying older 30's women like her. These rich men reject 30's career women and marry the younger 20's women. So, these 30's career women remain unmarried forever. In China, They are called leftover women.. And there are 100 million highly educated, high salary leftover women in China.

    • @adkldy8158
      @adkldy8158 Před měsícem +3

      They are wrapped up in the unique values ​​of East Asia. I think this is something very deep. As an East Asian woman, I understand this feeling. We have a lot of anxiety about age and marriage and childbearing. Everyone in society will judge you, so seeing this really makes me feel very uncomfortable and heavy.

    • @jnd5706
      @jnd5706 Před měsícem +8

      ​@@Blytheville2830Most women want to marry someone who is at least as intelligent and educated as they are. As a woman, intelligence is a huge turn on for me. I'm very educated and well travelled myself and don't typically find men who aren't those things attractive. Money doesn't really come into it (I have dated men who earn less than me); it's more about being able to have a decent conversation with someone.

    • @frwololo
      @frwololo Před měsícem +3

      I actually had a very hard time understanding the motivations of these two ladies. One admitted to not wanting to be a mother, but felt that it was her duty. The motivation of the second one wasn't very clear either, beyond "I'm getting old and I might one day regret not having kids".
      The documentary is well edited but at the end of the day I failed to understand the true reasons here. It also doesn't go into the legal details of the situation,which I fond very interesting. Surely pregnancy tourism like this is in a gray area legally? But there sems to be a whole industry of people profiting from it... That's an aspect they barely mention!

    • @Sagewort0521
      @Sagewort0521 Před měsícem

      ​@@jnd5706... If the whole point is to get married and have a family with healthy children, what does a successful above 35+ year old woman have to offer a rich man that doesn't need or care about her salary or money?

  • @beanzbeanz
    @beanzbeanz Před měsícem +4

    Cinematic. Beautifully shot and directed.

  • @cultusdeus
    @cultusdeus Před měsícem +3

    Dramatic. But most of these procedures aren't successful.

  • @RedPanda79
    @RedPanda79 Před měsícem +18

    😢such a lack of supportive family

  • @jamesdrake3651
    @jamesdrake3651 Před 24 dny +6

    No one can have it all. Not men. Not women.

  • @DavidA-411
    @DavidA-411 Před 10 dny +1

    Impressive video on a complicated, emotional, topic.
    It's never been easy to find the "right" partner. These days of immense options, the idea of success is much harder to define.
    What is it to have family when trust is so fleeting, even with the best intentions.

  • @nyeusiafric
    @nyeusiafric Před 20 dny +1

    This was deep, honest, real, and informative about today's human condition/experience. Thank you.

  • @ronaldkable
    @ronaldkable Před měsícem +2

    These are very real, very human people

  • @evanwiechert3168
    @evanwiechert3168 Před 5 dny

    Fertility tourism is a global issue, this is happening practically everywhere in the world right now

  • @MrMark595
    @MrMark595 Před měsícem +31

    Modernity had brought many great advancements but also huge disruption-socially, culturally and economically. Traditions, norms, rituals have been swept away-some good, some bad-a sense of community lost and probably gone forever. It has left us many of us unmoored and desperately, desperately lonely. Rampant materialism does not help. These two women are not happy. In fact they seem sad.

    • @katinkaraab1964
      @katinkaraab1964 Před měsícem +7

      You mean, it would be better to still female Babys? Like they did in China?

    • @frenzybuzz3703
      @frenzybuzz3703 Před měsícem +24

      It's still better than staying or being trapped I'm abusive relationships. Remember in the past women were firced and rped in marriages and were not even able to divorce so current time is better 😊

    • @frenzybuzz3703
      @frenzybuzz3703 Před měsícem +7

      It's still better than staying or being trapped I'm abusive relationships. Remember in the past women were firced and rped in marriages and were not even able to divorce so current time is better 😊

    • @frenzybuzz3703
      @frenzybuzz3703 Před měsícem +5

      In the past women were not able to leave abusive relationship and it's better to stay single than being stuck in an incompatible relationship..😊

    • @MrMark595
      @MrMark595 Před měsícem +2

      @@katinkaraab1964 No, that isn't what I'm saying-that's one of those 'so you're saying' platitudes you are using. That's a bad faith argument. You are trying to put words in my mouth. You must try and be more nuanced in arguments and less reflexively ideological.

  • @HarukiYamamoto
    @HarukiYamamoto Před měsícem +26

    7:07 the parents are right. Freezing eggs is not 100% guaranteed.

    •  Před měsícem +24

      Nothing in life is 100% guaranteed..

    • @nityasg2260
      @nityasg2260 Před měsícem +2

      Exactly

    • @Ffollies
      @Ffollies Před měsícem +8

      It's not even close to guaranteed. I believe the success rate is pretty low, maybe 20% for those trying to conceive using frozen eggs. It's not very successful usually.

    • @nityasg2260
      @nityasg2260 Před měsícem +1

      @@Ffollies Depends on the number of eggs frozen & the age.

    • @Ffollies
      @Ffollies Před měsícem +4

      @@nityasg2260 Yes of course we all know that, but overall for women who chose this path, it's usually unsuccessful. Also considering the cost, it should be a last resort IMO.

  • @drosera8943
    @drosera8943 Před 15 dny +1

    Abu's cats are so adorably fluffy! I hope both women find satisfaction in life whether or not marriage or children happen. It is rare to have everything you want and be content.

    • @jayrollo1352
      @jayrollo1352 Před 4 hodinami

      That's why they are single. They're holding out for the perfect man who doesn't exist.

  • @drummerfreak69
    @drummerfreak69 Před měsícem +4

    This is brilliantly put together! Well Done The Guardian.

  • @DonChups
    @DonChups Před měsícem +3

    Thanks for making this dosumentary and uploading it. It's really interesting and touching.

  • @sinhaashish54
    @sinhaashish54 Před měsícem +8

    We all complain about things not happening in our lives but fail to look beyond our biases that may have role in perpetuating those failed plans.

    • @casioak1683
      @casioak1683 Před 23 dny

      I love how in the other comments say "this is our choice" "for independence" "free women" yet at the same time: lonely & depressed

    • @kilujuma1234
      @kilujuma1234 Před 22 dny

      ​@@casioak1683like any men that cheats

  • @DonCE0
    @DonCE0 Před měsícem

    that bit where she told the family was so intense, i had to pause to take a breather.

  • @clothyardshafts
    @clothyardshafts Před měsícem +6

    Excellent work and so informative.

  • @saraandkoda
    @saraandkoda Před 22 dny +4

    Lots of incels in this comment section lol

    • @jayrollo1352
      @jayrollo1352 Před 4 hodinami

      Where? What are you talking about.

  • @derpderpderpPSN
    @derpderpderpPSN Před 24 dny

    4:33 As a Tianjin native, hearing her say "today" in that thick authentic Tianjin accent was 👌👌👌👌👌

  • @geinikan1kan
    @geinikan1kan Před měsícem +3

    Brilliantly moving and touching film. This is what documentary can do.

  • @bevs9995
    @bevs9995 Před měsícem +4

    freezing your eggs is no big deal. a bad marriage can cut years off your life. Is divorce somehow better? Looks just as embarrassing to me.

  • @ToastedBagel5G
    @ToastedBagel5G Před 3 dny

    I think this will be more common going into the future based on the direction we're heading

  • @kainewme743
    @kainewme743 Před měsícem +5

    This is just like a movie.

  • @whatrtheodds
    @whatrtheodds Před měsícem +1

    The art🎨🎭 the talent ❤ the skill. Thankyou for doing such quality work for this documentary!!!! I was so invested while watching.🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

  • @hempstonesmithotieno2379
    @hempstonesmithotieno2379 Před měsícem +2

    Beautiful piece. Cinematic. Enjoyed it ❤

  • @arachnid4910
    @arachnid4910 Před měsícem +2

    this was really well done

  • @Sisterlisk
    @Sisterlisk Před měsícem +1

    How long does a loving couple need to put off marriage for? They're adorable together.

  • @jxy1986
    @jxy1986 Před měsícem +28

    她的情况跟我差不多,但父亲比我的父亲好。我父亲嘴里永远不会说出那么好的话来。断子绝孙也挺好的。

  • @DavidZ4-gg3dm
    @DavidZ4-gg3dm Před měsícem +53

    At the same time, the world's poorest have a ridiculous number of kids, not caring that they can't provide for them.

    • @ChartreuseDan
      @ChartreuseDan Před měsícem +3

      "-watch your life slide out of view so you dance and drink and 🪛 because there's nothing else to do" - Jarvis Cocker

    • @elenarewd9299
      @elenarewd9299 Před měsícem +13

      Maybe the poorest are more worthy of having children than the richest…..

    • @everythingisfine9988
      @everythingisfine9988 Před měsícem +2

      @@elenarewd9299 Not if most (if not all) of those kids ⚰🪦

    • @dougmacgregor5053
      @dougmacgregor5053 Před měsícem +1

      @DavidZ4-gg3dm & everythingsfine9988
      "At the same time, the world's poorest have a ridiculous number of kids, not caring that they can't provide for them." Wow DavidZ4, do you ever have first world problems. And likely white too. They can't get an abortion because of their religion (sound familiar) they cant get birth control products, even condoms in many countries, again their religion and the society. Do you really believe that a mother and father don't care if their children are malnourished? Regardless of where they live, like maybe America? You've actually met such mothers, have you? You have no concept of what you just had to say about poor white people. You don't get it do you...

    • @mel_issa__
      @mel_issa__ Před měsícem +1

      ​Maybe that's why they have many children. Ever think of that? ​@@everythingisfine9988

  • @ca8099
    @ca8099 Před měsícem +2

    This was beautifully done

  • @walsakaluk1584
    @walsakaluk1584 Před měsícem +5

    Egg storage facilities can and do fail.
    Here's hoping.
    These are not what you'd describe as functional, lucid individuals in a normal world. There's an element of irrational indulgence in this.

  • @sparkyin3d
    @sparkyin3d Před měsícem +12

    As a mother of four children, there’s no physical experience in this universe that came close to the love I felt except with the grandchildren ❤! It’s as close to connecting to the divine as I have come in the physical. ❤

    • @rpaafourever7908
      @rpaafourever7908 Před měsícem +6

      You don't speak for everyone, every human being is already connected to the divine

    • @natashadickson4819
      @natashadickson4819 Před měsícem

      ​@@rpaafourever7908⭐️

    • @natashadickson4819
      @natashadickson4819 Před měsícem +5

      There's no way that this is true for every woman. Otherwise, there would be no abuse or neglect in the world.

    • @sparkyin3d
      @sparkyin3d Před měsícem

      @@rpaafourever7908 Thank you for the reminder love, I have edited my reply to speak for myself

    • @ibiro868
      @ibiro868 Před měsícem +1

      So poetic. Are you looking for a 5th 😍😍??

  • @salmon.samurai8469
    @salmon.samurai8469 Před 9 dny

    I felt for Abi when they were versing her with the visa. I totally understand as governments have to be careful and screen people....but she doesnt deserve that hard time either....

  • @justaloner9033
    @justaloner9033 Před 11 dny

    What about ADOPTION?

  • @Charruana1836
    @Charruana1836 Před měsícem +23

    A successful career woman is not going to want to settle for any man with a lower income than herself. And it takes time for her to build that success. And by that time she will be in her 30's. But why would a successful man want to try to start a family with an older less fertile 30's woman, when he has the means to support a beautiful younger 20's woman and children himself........ The differences is that a rich man can be happy with a poor woman... But, it don't work the other way around.. That is, a rich woman cannot be happy with a poor man..

    • @rpaafourever7908
      @rpaafourever7908 Před měsícem +10

      Over simplified..usual incel talk.. men need to learn to look within and become emotionally intelligent.. projecting blaming as reality check wont cut it anymore

    • @user-xx1jg2lh4j
      @user-xx1jg2lh4j Před měsícem +5

      Men have to realize that society sees us as stepping stones. We are no longer valued for our individuality. Instead of asking the government and women to value is we need to step away and live for ourselves. Let the government and women have society.

    • @zah936
      @zah936 Před měsícem +1

      The poor man will abuse the rich woman out of jealousy. That's the sole problem here

    • @Charruana1836
      @Charruana1836 Před měsícem +1

      @@zah936 .. unemployed men are not jealous about his employed wife

    • @lycan2494
      @lycan2494 Před měsícem +4

      @@rpaafourever7908 What rubbish are you spouting? LOL his comment is perfectly summarized. Women need to look in the mirror and self-reflect instead of blaming men all the time.

  • @Nullifed787
    @Nullifed787 Před měsícem

    How I am hearing it is… The dilemma is about the money, there’s no other risks in freezing eggs. Why is it so debilitating?

    • @zoeredadams
      @zoeredadams Před měsícem +1

      there are risks. it can have significant complications

    • @LaitoChen
      @LaitoChen Před měsícem +2

      You need to read more about egg freezing. Its anything but risk free. And the success rate is under 20%

    • @JamesPain1203
      @JamesPain1203 Před 19 dny

      It's a scam. The success rate is like 20%

  • @cofa4011
    @cofa4011 Před měsícem +19

    F this era...

  • @TomGrob
    @TomGrob Před měsícem +5

    ReplicantPhish: Sheng Nu 😂

  • @evelyna_paula1747
    @evelyna_paula1747 Před 23 dny

    The Guardian has earnt a lot from the BBC. I think some of its employees are former BBC journlists.

  • @sneakytaze5336
    @sneakytaze5336 Před 6 hodinami

    So basically like any Nordic country? The girl with the black hair I mean, hard to find the right people and connect in a society like Finland where personal space is a big deal, and people are very anti-social usually whenever meeting new people or in public.

  • @johnalver
    @johnalver Před měsícem +1

    You know the government could make safe drugs they just choose not too!

  • @daithimccaffrey
    @daithimccaffrey Před měsícem

    What alovely and moving piece and it speaks to oppression.

  • @AtheistEve
    @AtheistEve Před měsícem +14

    Lovely. Now do a documentary showing two hundred women who absolutely love being single and child-free.

    • @user-px8gu8xs5h
      @user-px8gu8xs5h Před měsícem +4

      They did it’s call girls gone wild

    • @AtheistEve
      @AtheistEve Před měsícem +2

      @@user-px8gu8xs5h I’m talking about women, not girls. Women who have been living happy, full, rich, connected lives. There are many child-free and/or unmarried people who are thriving. We can all find the one or two examples of a small local problem. But let’s not get it out of proportion.

    • @ortros1
      @ortros1 Před měsícem +1

      ​@@AtheistEvedo you think most of the single people are happy, rich, well-connected and thriving? Don't get me wrong, there are also plenty of married people who are miserable; however I don't think it's a majority though. And I also agree with you (I'm assuming you mean this - even though you didn't express it out loud): marriage and parenthood aren't for everybody.

    • @jkc877
      @jkc877 Před měsícem +1

      @@AtheistEve they will always say they are happy even if they aren't

    • @AtheistEve
      @AtheistEve Před měsícem +1

      @@jkc877 If you are going to deny someone’s personal testimony, why would you bother to watch _any_ documentary like this one?
      Or, do you only accept someone’s personal testimony when it’s something you agree with?

  • @MiMiiViVi
    @MiMiiViVi Před 29 dny +1

    We don't need more population growth. We are twice the limit now, There's nothing wrong with not having children and there are plenty of wonderful, orphaned children that need loving homes instead.

  • @philopsyche
    @philopsyche Před 29 dny +1

    1:12 what is happening rn?

  • @dlewis8405
    @dlewis8405 Před měsícem +12

    I have to agree with the male relative who advises against egg freezing because her subconscious will lead her astray. She will just put off addressing why she isn't having a child now, or at least earnestly finding a partner if a family is what she really wants.

    • @havealavalyday543
      @havealavalyday543 Před měsícem +5

      Or it might not make her put off addressing it, and it might be the safest decision for her.

  • @saharkhalili5303
    @saharkhalili5303 Před měsícem +9

    Beautiful. This is a difficult and excruciating time for women, without much guidance support or sympathy, women feel really lost. I'm 37 now. The period between 31-35 was especially stressful and ultimately, humiliating. Why

    • @ibiro868
      @ibiro868 Před měsícem +3

      Time ran out

    • @Youwish34
      @Youwish34 Před měsícem +2

      Why didn’t you travel and further your education. Volunteer in your community. Adopted or foster children?

    • @saharkhalili5303
      @saharkhalili5303 Před měsícem

      😂 the audacity. You don't know anything about me, you're projecting

    • @Youwish34
      @Youwish34 Před měsícem +5

      @@saharkhalili5303 you are the one saying women feel really lost. Why do you speak of all women? Women you are the one projecting 😂.

    • @casioak1683
      @casioak1683 Před 23 dny +1

      ​@@Youwish34adopting a child is not as simple as buying smartphone from online store. You will be surprised with the adopted child later in life because she/he is not genetically similar with you, expect a surprise comes from her/his personality.

  • @dougmacgregor5053
    @dougmacgregor5053 Před měsícem +3

    well done!

  • @StutteringJourney-ic3sp
    @StutteringJourney-ic3sp Před 19 dny +3

    why is being a mother to a family, seen as a distraction?

    • @ithinkiknowme6450
      @ithinkiknowme6450 Před 17 dny +6

      Because a woman has to do physical labour for her family 24/7 for free while a man can get paid by his boss and he can leave or cheat anytime he wants.. The amount of hardwork mothers put in the family can solely be represented by the fact that they can never have a secret second family...
      Women are at much higher risk in marriage and life due to men..

    • @StutteringJourney-ic3sp
      @StutteringJourney-ic3sp Před 16 dny +2

      @@ithinkiknowme6450 Ok, and a man can work his whole life and then the woman decides to divorce, take half of his money and take the kids. Both sides of a marriage can break down, that's why we must only mary people we love and trust....

    • @tunkytunky
      @tunkytunky Před 15 dny +4

      It can be, if you have hobbies/ goals. But as a mother, that stuff takes a backseat only while your children are toddlers. From about kindergarten age they're much easier to manage and since they're in school, it's easier to get back into the things you love or start working again. Even if you homeschool they become easy to deal with. My 11 year old just like to chill and read Harry Potter all day on the weekends, if I let her. A lot of non-moms don't seem to remember kids get more independent.
      I think in East Asia there is a problem in which women are often expected to taken care of their in-laws, so marriage becomes a prison in which she is enslaved to her mother- in-law. I've witnessed this first- hand! My husband's mother had to take care of her abusive mother in law all her life, even though she should have been "free" rather early since she only had one child. That's an easy problem to solve, just don't live with your in-laws and create strong boundaries (which is exactly what I did. Told my husband while we were still dating that I won't deal with his mom beyond the bare minimum. Saved A LOT of stress for me)

    • @StutteringJourney-ic3sp
      @StutteringJourney-ic3sp Před 15 dny +1

      @@tunkytunky I get that, thanks for sharing

  • @XiraKira13
    @XiraKira13 Před 22 dny

    Great documentary!

  • @21stcenturyshowgirl
    @21stcenturyshowgirl Před měsícem

    This is so beautiful. I love this woman and her brother and their mother. They are divine to me.

  • @selenaclarke
    @selenaclarke Před měsícem +4

    I really enjoyed learning about these Chinese Woman. More please, very beautiful

  • @Sagewort0521
    @Sagewort0521 Před měsícem +9

    This video left out intentionally or not intentionally the leftover men (光棍)which dated way before the leftover women(剩女). And yes, the women are the ones choosing. In China, typically a woman ask a home (very expensive in China), a car (German ones preferred) and a large sum of cash (彩礼) payable to the woman's parents or the woman herself as the mandatory condition to get married. This problem is quite complicated with historical and social imbalance reasons. It is way more complex than the typicall western feminists' complaining of men supressing women situation.

  • @nivmhn
    @nivmhn Před měsícem

    This was a great documentary.

  • @danielshaw-smith2766
    @danielshaw-smith2766 Před měsícem +3

    Harsh when Dad calls you out for being a cat lady.

  • @gardenjoy5223
    @gardenjoy5223 Před měsícem +9

    That family drives me crazy. She can't wait till 35, that's the problem. A female relative rather has it the 'natural' way. Yeah, SHE TOO. But you can't get her a matching husband out of the magic hat, now can you?

    • @grr5947
      @grr5947 Před měsícem +5

      If at 35 you are still waiting for the perfect Prince Charming sure, you can't

    • @gardenjoy5223
      @gardenjoy5223 Před měsícem +1

      @@grr5947 ??? "If at 35" ???
      That's years away here.

    • @Incog05
      @Incog05 Před 24 dny +1

      ​@@grr5947the truth is that prince doesn't exist

  • @CharlesBliss84
    @CharlesBliss84 Před 27 dny

    I feel like my ovaries are quite empty now.

  • @KS-cl8br
    @KS-cl8br Před měsícem

    Voice over in english and no music

  • @ThAsSq30
    @ThAsSq30 Před 28 dny +8

    errr perhaps every single lady should lower their standard in finding men?

  • @thecsucihai
    @thecsucihai Před měsícem +5

    China should find a way to export these modern Chinese women to Western countries. I hear a lot of Western men are going their own way seeking Asian women. Win win as president Xi would say.

    • @roymoxley2587
      @roymoxley2587 Před 20 dny +1

      No you are really asking for some serious problems if you think these women are any better there 10 times worse

    • @JamesPain1203
      @JamesPain1203 Před 19 dny +1

      No thank you. They're just like the women over here already which is why they are in the same situation as the woman here already

    • @kamome7098
      @kamome7098 Před hodinou

      All east Asia has below replacement birth rate

  • @Sagewort0521
    @Sagewort0521 Před měsícem +14

    When the (now older) successful career women finally want to get married and settle down, they are looking for only equally successful or more successful men. Those successful men, however, are looking for younger women. So, the older successful career women cannot get suitable successful man according to her demands and she remains unmarried. Because she is not willing to marry the poor men who are ready to marry her..

    • @rpaafourever7908
      @rpaafourever7908 Před měsícem +9

      Over simplified..usual incel talk.. men need to learn to look within and become emotionally intelligent.. projecting blaming as reality check wont cut it anymore

    • @natashadickson4819
      @natashadickson4819 Před měsícem +3

      Why marry a poor man to have a child? Financial struggle. She'll have to do everything for herself. She's already doing that.

    • @Blytheville2830
      @Blytheville2830 Před měsícem

      ​@@natashadickson4819.. Rich men are rejecting 30's women and marrying the younger 20's women. So, 30's women cannot get rich men.. That is why 30's women are having to marry poor men..

    • @baha3alshamari152
      @baha3alshamari152 Před měsícem +4

      ​@@natashadickson4819
      Men don't complain about poor women and they don't call it struggle

    • @natashadickson4819
      @natashadickson4819 Před měsícem

      @@baha3alshamari152 Are you implying that women should act like men in that regard? 😃 Men don't like women who operate in masculine ways.

  • @FRAMEDSKATEKREW69
    @FRAMEDSKATEKREW69 Před 6 dny

    they couldve just asked me nicely bro, 200k?
    i would do it for 20k
    or make me a stay at home dad taking care of the kid lol

  • @robertmarley8852
    @robertmarley8852 Před měsícem +14

    She's a cat lady 🤣🤣😭🤣😭🤣🤠

    • @bevs9995
      @bevs9995 Před měsícem +1

      most millenials own dogs. This is just chinese media perpetuating misogyny... theyll come after the dogs soon tho

    • @limitlesky
      @limitlesky Před měsícem +11

      as if men don't have pet cats. I'm sure she would have a cat whether married or single.

    • @selfishgirlsgofirst
      @selfishgirlsgofirst Před měsícem +4

      how is that an insult??

    • @bevs9995
      @bevs9995 Před měsícem

      @@limitlesky Men die with dogs.. dogs keep the bed warm

    • @roymoxley2587
      @roymoxley2587 Před 20 dny

      And she will stay a cat Lady

  • @User40919
    @User40919 Před měsícem +7

    This goes for both men and women, having fancy cars and houses can only bring so much joy. Having a family is worth more than silver and gold.

    • @i.m.9918
      @i.m.9918 Před měsícem +8

      Actually…it isn’t….if it’s a dysfunctional family-of which there are millions. Sorry…but reflexive reductionism serves no one.

    • @alejandratorres3857
      @alejandratorres3857 Před měsícem +5

      It’s relative.. not all the people have the same goals

    • @Youwish34
      @Youwish34 Před měsícem +1

      Yea dysfunctional family ain’t worth it.

    • @zah936
      @zah936 Před měsícem

      Wrong

    • @candygirl7586
      @candygirl7586 Před 23 dny

      Truth, Thank you. Dysfunctional, relative, wrong, are blanket statement that only fit certain circumstances. A child is a Gift to be treasured.

  • @RoyFJ65
    @RoyFJ65 Před 4 dny

    Better off not to be a mother of five from different men and discarded like in third world countries, one such country is right in Asia where pregnancy and that too by minors seems to be a national pastime and then abject poverty follows.

  • @jephteyiphtah3458
    @jephteyiphtah3458 Před měsícem +9

    The real question is who is this suitable giy they will suddenly come across in their mid to late 30s. If the guy hasn't come acress by now. What makes you thing he'll suddenly fall. From the skies when you're older.

    • @MEADiaz
      @MEADiaz Před měsícem +13

      I met my husband at 36 and became naturally pregnant at 40. He was worth the wait, would not change anything

    • @victoriaporsiempre
      @victoriaporsiempre Před měsícem +9

      @@MEADiazsame here! healthy children with 37 and mid 40ies
      you have to have faith and believe that is possible
      but some don’t believe, like the one in this comment

    • @jephteyiphtah3458
      @jephteyiphtah3458 Před měsícem +14

      @@MEADiaz do you think that's realistic for most women in this situation, or your'e just spouting this
      " HOPE" nonsense because you don't care about the world at large, outside of your personal experience

    • @MEADiaz
      @MEADiaz Před měsícem +6

      @@jephteyiphtah3458 yes actually. Many are getting married older. If you want to marry young, do you, be happy but let others do the same

    • @MEADiaz
      @MEADiaz Před měsícem +5

      @@victoriaporsiempre yes! It definitely can. I never wanted marry young, as the oldest of seven children I saw how much my mother went through, she married at 17 and I promised myself to never do that

  • @juppo2242
    @juppo2242 Před měsícem +11

    A story of women that live like men, then at the end of the road realize they are women. The wall never loses.

  • @omarleyaziafon6820
    @omarleyaziafon6820 Před měsícem

    Sorry someone gives me the title of the music played at 1:35....