Any Leftovers?

I was doing some word search in Google when I encountered the phrase “Leftover Women”.

Did you know that it is an official term in China?

China’s very own Women’s Federation defined “leftover women” or  “sheng nu” as unmarried women over the age of 27.

In literal translation,  “sheng nu” means “girls that are left out”. 

This federation was founded in 1949 to “protect women’s rights and interests”.

And they do it by posting articles on their websites urging these women to find partners and marry.  To disregard their ambitions for higher learning and successful career in favor of marriage and family life.

 
According to one article:
 
“These kinds of girls hope to further their education in order to increase their competitiveness. The tragedy is, they don't realize that as women age, they are worth less and less, so by the time they get their MA or PhD, they are already old, like yellowed pearls."

They also conducted a survey which yielded that more than 90% of male respondents agreed that "women should marry before age 27 or risk being forever undesired".
 
I am beginning to think that this federation is being funded by old, lecherous men who prefer their women young, helpless and ignorant.
 
Although I also wonder how a woman can be leftover in a country with far more men than women.

Maybe it’s their choice?

 
And if it is, then why should it bother anyone else?

Note:  Image source Singaporehardwarezone.com