Unhappy Love in a Gender-Imbalanced China: Han Men’s Online Behaviours and Perceptions of Chinese and Non-Chinese Partners

Abstract China’s one-child policy has led to a significant gender imbalance in the current Han population, which is male-dominated. This demographic disparity has affected the behaviour, psychological state, and life satisfaction of Han men seeking partner relationships. This study explores how these men cope with the challenges that this gender imbalance presents, particularly in the digital sphere. Through in-depth interpretive phenomenological analysis, the research reveals the psychological impact and strategies Han men use in their attempts to establish relationships. This article shows, through several testimonies, how Han men who are trying to establish long-term relationships within their cultural context idealize non-Chinese women, perceiving them as better potential partners and exaggerating their positive qualities while overlooking potential negatives. This study shows the relations between cultural expectations, gender imbalance, and individual relationship-seeking behaviour.