For better or for worse?

The ramifications of the One Child Policy in China are now coming through. It is estimated that the preference for sons over daughters has meant that there will be 24m unmarriageable bachelors by 2020 and daughters are suddenly worth their weight in gold as they can have their pick of the men. Property prices have been spiralling and flats in the big cities are generally unaffordable for young couples. In Shanghai, the easiest way for a girl to get a flat is to marry a man who owns one. Daughters are called "Minsheng Bank" (one of the leading mortgage providers). However, the divorce rate amongst young people in Shanghai has risen to 25% so, property-owning men, beware!