Read previewA Chinese state media report about rural men struggling to afford exorbitant dowries has triggered backlash online from people who say the bachelors are missing the point. State-run outlet Legal Daily published an article on Monday covering the dating lives of three rural men in their early 30s, who said they can no longer keep up with rising "betrothal prices." Many accounts, who listed themselves as female on their profiles, say men are using the unattainable dowries as an excuse for their undesirability as partners. It's not about the dowries, people sayRising dowries have unsettled Chinese officials already fretting about plummeting national birth and marriage rates. AdvertisementMeanwhile, it's become increasingly clear that officials are concerned by the growing prevalence of singlehood among rural men, with state media often discussing such bachelors leading loveless lives.

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Persons: —, Cheng Wei, Mu Zheng, Mu, It's, shouldn't, it's, loveless Organizations: Service, Business, National University of Singapore, Monday, BI, dowries Locations: Jiangxi, Weibo, China, Beijing