Low-income men should share wives, claims academic

A couple poses for a photo with their cartoon-image poster at the group wedding in Tianjin on Oct 20, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

As the population imbalance in China between men and women has become intensive, Xie Zuoshi, a professor with the School of Economics and International Trade at Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, said in his blog that the problem can be solved by allowing polyandry.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, due to a severe gender imbalance, China will have more than 30 million men who cannot find wives. Sociology experts worry that this will turn into a severe social problem for the country.

Xie wrote that he does not think the imbalance will develop into a severe social problem because analyzed by economic theories, the 30 million single men problem can be viewed as a problem of high-income versus low income and several low-income earners can share a wife.

"Males with high-income will get married easier because they can afford a wife. For low-incomers, one solution is to allow polyandry," he wrote. "In fact, in some rural areas in China, there are situations in which brothers of a family share one wife and they live happily together."

He said that if legalized, polyandry would be a perfect solution to solve the 30 million single men's sexual needs, which he believed will be the most important factor in igniting social unrest.

In addition, Xie wrote that with better economic development, more women from Africa and Southeast Asia will be attracted to marry Chinese men and allowing gay marriage will also relieve the problem.

While putting forward solutions, he also said that the abuse of estrogen in food might reduce sexual needs and capabilities of men in China.