Originally published 12/31/2022
Lonely, Single and Over 50? China Has a Game Show for That.
Several popular television programs in the country are helping to encourage conversations about the social, romantic and sexual needs of older Chinese people.
Welcome to one of China’s hottest new genres of television: dating shows for older people.
More than 54 million people 65 and older are unmarried, divorced or widowed, according to China’s most recent census data.
In some ways, the programs — at least 10 of which have emerged in recent years, featuring contestants mostly in their 50s and above — are little different from the fare offered for younger contestants. Hopefuls discuss hobbies, strut for the camera and size up each other’s appearances.
Most of all, the shows are helping to encourage more conversations about the social, romantic and sexual needs of older people. In China, as in many parts of the world, ageism has long made those topics taboo; in Chinese society in particular, many older people are expected to put the needs of younger generations first.
All the shows share one hallmark: blunt exchanges from candidates with little patience for nonsense.
Our take? We need some of these in the US!