Imagine waking up to a company memo that demands you get married or risk losing your job. For employees at Shuntian Chemical Group in China, this was a grim reality.
In February, the company issued a controversial notice stipulating that all single and divorced employees aged between 28 and 58 must tie the knot by September 30, 2025, or face potential termination.
The management described their justification as a wish to harmonise their company culture with the ideals of devotion to God, loyalty, and righteousness.
But these demands quickly backfired, causing public outrage and later government involvement, which forced the business to revoke its ultimatum.
The news ignited mixed reactions on social media, with some mocking the management’s attempt to please the party.
One user on TikTok quipped, "Idiot management trying to impress the party😂."
Another added, "If I’m still single after 10 years, you know where to find me 🤣 Singapore already doing quietly for so long ... singles get higher KPIs to meet ... becomes lower tiered during performance ranking."
@Perfectly Imperfect commented: "Honestly, with the state of the dating world, I get it 😂😂"
But this bizarre case is more than just a headline; it raises important questions about social expectations, the role of employers in personal lives, and whether we are progressing or regressing in our understanding of work-life balance.
Is China’s declining birthrate a crisis in the making?
China’s controversial policy was likely driven by a deeper issue, a declining birthrate. The country’s population fell for the third consecutive year in 2024, losing 1.39 million people.
Despite abandoning the one-child policy in 2016, birth rates remain low. Young people are delaying marriage, and fewer couples are choosing to have children. In 2025, only 6.1 million marriages were registered, a sharp decline from 7.68 million in 2021.
This trend signals a broader shift in priorities. The younger generation is increasingly focused on career stability, financial security, and personal fulfilment rather than traditional family structures. But is this just a Chinese issue? Hardly.
While China grapples with declining birth rates and societal expectations, South Africa is facing shifts in marriage and family dynamics.
According to Statistics South Africa, marriage rates have been steadily decreasing. In 2020, only 88,000 marriages were registered, a significant drop from previous years. More South Africans are choosing to cohabit rather than marry, prioritising financial independence and personal growth over societal expectations.
This trend is deeply intertwined with economic realities, high unemployment rates, and financial instability, which make marriage and children less appealing for many South Africans.
Women, in particular, are delaying marriage to focus on education and careers. Does this mean South Africa is regressing by rejecting traditional marriage?
Or is it a sign of progress, where individuals have more autonomy over their futures?
The Shuntian Chemical Group's policy brings up a critical question: How much control should a company have over an employee’s personal life?
In South Africa, labour laws protect employees from unfair discrimination, including marital status. However, workplace pressures still exist.
Women, for example, often face unspoken career penalties for taking maternity leave, while unmarried employees might be seen as “lacking stability” in some conservative corporate cultures.
The balance between work and personal life is shifting, and companies must adapt. Employers should focus on creating supportive work environments rather than enforcing outdated societal norms.
Countries like Japan and Germany are already seeing the effects of population decline, with labour shortages and rising dependency ratios.
The Shuntian Chemical Group’s policy may seem extreme, but it forces a necessary conversation: What role should marriage and family play in modern society? Should we prioritise tradition or embrace changing norms?
For South Africans, the answer lies in flexibility and respect for personal choice. A progressive society does not enforce outdated expectations but rather creates environments where people can thrive married or not.