When Sean Liang turned 30, he started thinking of the Curse of 35 — the widespread belief in China that white-collar workers like him confront unavoidable job insecurity after they hit that age. In the eyes of employers, the Curse goes, they’re more expensive than new graduates and not as willing to work overtime. He has been unemployed for much of the past three years, partly because of the pandemic and China’s sagging economy. If the Curse of 35 is a legend, it’s one supported by some facts. That is a double whammy for workers in their mid-30s who are making big decisions about career, marriage and children.

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Persons: Sean Liang, Liang, ” Locations: China