After a seven-year-boom, the number of international marriages
taking place in Shanghai each year is gradually reducing. However,
now there is a new trend. The number of these marriages ending in
divorce is increasing year on year.
In the first half of this year alone, 120 cross-cultural couples
split up. This was more than for the whole of 2002.
More divorces
Since the reform and opening policy was adopted, the number of
registered international marriages in Shanghai has grown
sporadically. The first period of sustained growth occurred from
1980 to 1985. By the end of 1985, there were 826 mixed couples in
Shanghai. A second boom started in the mid 1990s with over 3,000
marriages a year being registered. The record was set in 2001 with
3,442.
Cross-cultural love is a natural thing. However, the partners
can face additional tensions arising from cultural differences and
practical problems like where to live and how to bring up the
children. Later as they grow accustomed to each other, they may
have to deal with the "seven year itch."
The latest statistics show the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau
handled some 90 international divorces in 2002. By 2003, this had
grown by 60 percent to more than 140. Numbers have since increased
further with 120 in the first half of this year alone.
Foreign husbands
Nowadays, Shanghai folk have been choosing their foreign spouses
from 40 different countries and regions. They have come to the
metropolis from all the continents of the world except the
Antarctic. More than 50 percent are from Japan, USA or Canada.
The Population Research Institute of East China Normal
University studied 21,000 international marriages entered into
in Shanghai between 1996 and 2002. They found that 88.9 percent
comprised a foreign husband and a local wife. Most of the foreign
husbands were in the age band from 25 to 54 and married at an
average age of 41.9 years. Meanwhile their Shanghai wives were
mostly aged from 20-39 and married younger at 31.4 years on
average. With husbands tending to tie the knot some 10.5 years
older than their wives, the age gap is thought to be a major factor
contributing to the high divorce rate.
New easier divorces
The new Marriage Registration Regulations now in force have
helped to boost the rising divorce rate. They have simplified the
procedures and led to an increased number of enquiries at the Civil
Affairs Bureau.
"With the introduction of the new regulations, couples can
complete the entire divorce procedure in one day. It costs just 10
yuan (a little over one US dollar) as long as both parties bring
along all the necessary documents such as passports, ID cards and
marriage certificate and have reached agreement on custody of the
children, division of property and settling family debts," said Mr.
Zhou of the Shanghai Municipal Marriage Registration Management
Department.
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Many couples choose to arrange their divorces in Civil Affairs
Departments because of the fast and convenient service and the low
fees.
(China.org.cn by Li Shen, September 20, 2004)