Leftover in China

Forty years ago in China, marriage was universal, compulsory and a womans only means to a livelihood. Then the one-child policy resulted in Chinas first generations of urban only-daughtersgirls who were pushed to study, achieve and succeed as if they were sons. Now, enough of these women have decided to postpone marriageor not marry at allto spawn a label: leftovers. They struggle to find partners in a society where gender roles have not evolved as vigorously as the society itself. Part critique of Chinas paternalistic ideals, part playful portrait of the romantic travails of Chinas trailblazing women, Leftover in China employs colourful anecdotes, hundreds of interviews and rigorous historical and demographic research to show how the leftovers are the linchpin to Chinas future.