Why do they rent brides and grooms in China (5 photos)
It's long been known that the higher the standard of living in a country, the later young people marry. China is currently considered one of the most rapidly developing economies. And the rising prosperity of its residents has already begun to impact attitudes toward family values. The older generation of China notes with regret that more and more young men and women are choosing career advancement over family. But in China, it's not customary to upset their parents, so young people often resort to trickery. 
These days, Chinese people marry at the age of 28-30. For a country where early marriage has been a tradition for centuries, this is unusual. The older generation condemns young men and women who completely neglect home and children, instead spending their time at universities and offices. 
Parents of the younger generation, who married at 18-20, want to see their children happy and raise their grandchildren. This is especially important to them because of the birth control restrictions that have long been in place in China. But the new generation of Chinese people are accustomed to living by their own judgment and are not particularly sensitive to the opinions of their elders. Nevertheless, respect for parents remains a tradition in the country.
To avoid upsetting their elders, young people resort to trickery. They rent brides and grooms from specialized agencies, of which there are thousands across the country. For a modest fee, they can temporarily find a partner and feign a strong relationship. The girls and boys working in this industry are excellent at their job. They create the appearance of being the perfect partner, loving and caring. 
The rented lovers are able to hold a conversation with the client's relatives and will even display the necessary character traits. Parents are satisfied with their child's choice, and the young man or woman gets the opportunity to live their life as they please, free from criticism and admonitions. They decide for themselves when and with whom to start a serious relationship. Parents are simply told that their personalities didn't click with their "chosen ones" and that's why they broke up.
Peak Demand - New Year's Eve
The bride and groom rental business has its own busy period. This is usually the period before the New Year. Traditionally, the Chinese celebrate holidays with their families. Therefore, parents insist that their children come to visit them with their partner. Rental agencies are extremely busy during this time and even raise their prices. 
Prices for brides and grooms range from $50 to $1,000. Many factors influence the price, including appearance, education, and social demeanor. Demand for grooms in China is higher than for brides. Women tend to turn to agencies because they face greater pressure from their families. Parents are much more concerned about their daughters' personal lives than their sons.
Women in China have a harder time establishing a family life than men. According to statistics, there are only 100 men for every 130 young women in the country. Because of this, well-educated and career-driven Chinese women are often left behind. After a certain age, it's very difficult for them to get married, and many remain single. 
In Asian countries, it's generally considered normal to rent a companion. In Japan, you can even rent a grumpy old man to give you a lesson on life.
