A PhD graduate is trending on mainland social media after her mother complained that she disliked social activities and buried herself in books.
In a viral video, the woman’s mother, from Zhejiang province in eastern China, said she is worried that her daughter, shown at her desk, head bent over her books, will never meet a man to marry.
“It’s time to go to bed, stop studying and go to sleep as soon as you can,” the mother said in the video.
Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.
The woman smiled and raised her head to look at her mother, but didn’t reply.
The mother said her daughter worked as a teacher at a local university after finishing her PhD studies in Canada.
She said she felt her daughter was perfect and was proud of her achievements.
However, she worried her daughter did not spend time with friends or meet new people, preferring to stay at home and read.
“She only likes to study and has no social life,” the mother said.
Mainland social media has been captivated by the story, with more than 8.7 million views and 3,600 comments at the time of writing. Many people said they supported the woman’s daughter in choosing the life she wanted.
One person commented: “To people like this woman, working and studying are the biggest joys in life.”
Another person asked: “Why does it worry her mother? Her smart and pretty daughter will definitely attract people of the same bent to be friends with.”
A few people agreed with the mother, arguing that everyone needed a social life.
One person said: “To have the ability to socialise is significant for everyone.”
Another added: “If she does not meet new people, how could she meet the right man to fall in love with?”
More from South China Morning Post:
- Grudge diary: Chinese girl, 8, keeps bitter, secret journal of grievances she holds against 16-year-old sister, sparking sibling rivalry debate
- ‘Background is too fake’: Chinese live-streamer accused of ‘faking’ videos boosts farm sales and handed government job for his efforts
- ‘Forced marriage is painful’: bride in China admits she doesn’t love groom in viral wedding breakdown and is marrying for her parents
- ‘Indiscreet prostitute’: mother abuses woman trying on clothes in changing room after son caught pulling up cubicle curtain
- ‘Not taken seriously’: woman in China breaks up with boyfriend after his family served her simple meals at first meeting
For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2023.
