Chinese parents are turning to social media to find sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, using ads and discussions focused on practical attributes and guided by a notable “absence of love,” reveals a study from the University of Macau.
The investigation by Todd Lyle Sandel, professor in the Department of Communication at University of Macau (UM) focuses on parental involvement in meeting groups on the messaging platform WeChat (similar to WhatsApp in China), where parents often describe their children as if listing products in a market: “height, weight, education, economic situation, owning a home” are the typical criteria presented, revealed the researcher at the presentation of the work, which is still ongoing.
“What is impressive is the absence of ‘love’ or ‘feeling’ in the presentation ads,” Sandel added; the focus is on measurable characteristics, not on emotional connection, he said at a conference at UM.
