Legally Married but No Sexual Relationship
If They Want Children, They Choose Adoption or Artificial Insemination
Recently, it has been reported that among young people in China, "friendship marriages"?where couples marry friends with similar values and interests rather than focusing on love or sexual relationships?are spreading.
On April 28, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported, "Young people in China are choosing friendship marriages with friends instead of traditional marriages in order to avoid social pressure to marry."
Among young people in China, the number of "friendship marriages," where couples marry based on similar values and interests rather than love or sexual relationships, is increasing. The photo is not directly related to the text. Pixabay
Friendship marriage refers to a relationship in which friends, rather than romantic partners, share values and interests and focus on maintaining their relationship. These couples live together in the same house but usually sleep in separate rooms. They do not have sexual relations, and if they agree to have children, they choose either artificial insemination or adoption.
Those in friendship marriages are legally spouses but are free to date other people. Some even sign contracts stating, "If either person finds true love and wishes to enter a traditional marriage, they can get divorced."
Meilan, a woman in her late twenties from Chongqing, entered into a friendship marriage with her best friend four years ago. The two registered their marriage but sleep in separate rooms and do not have sexual relations. They also agreed not to have children. Meilan said, "Through our friendship marriage, we became each other's legal guardians, so we can make decisions for one another in case of medical emergencies," adding, "My husband and I are roommates and family living together."
Chloe, a 33-year-old woman from Shanghai, entered into a friendship marriage with her university classmate last year. The two drafted a prenuptial agreement that covers the division of household expenses, individual ownership of property, and family visits. The agreement also includes a divorce clause. Chloe stated, "If either of us meets someone who wants a traditional marriage, we will get divorced."
Pan Lian, a family relationship consultant from Hubei Province, commented on friendship marriages, saying, "They help individuals maintain their independence," but also pointed out, "Such relationships can be unstable and are not suitable for everyone as a means of escaping reality." She added, "Friendship marriages are only a temporary solution to avoid social pressure, and they may disappear if housing prices drop and benefits for single-person households improve."
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