Journal of Business & Financial Affairs

Study of Love Market in China

Abstract

David KO

‘Love is also an exchange’ has become a more and more common saying in these few years. Humans, both males and females, demand love from their ideal partners. Whenever demand and supply exist, a market exists. In this research, it is found that mating, to a certain extent, could be seen as an exchange. The fact is that human share a common pattern in their mating behavior, i.e., basing on the other party’s criteria.

Shenzhen is called a ‘migration city’ in the general public. This city is unique for its level of economic development and the huge percentage of immigrants. How young females’ mate selection behavior is shaped in this unique city is therefore an interesting topic to study.

This research project has investigated three main aspects by choosing Luohu District, Shenzhen as a target place. Firstly, it is found that some marketing concepts could be applied into Luohu females’ mating behavior to a certain extent. For example, results show that high quality men are more ‘demanded’ by Luohu females. Secondly, the degrees of importance of different mate selection criteria in affecting females’ mating intention are investigated. It is found that instead of monetary aspects, men’s health is the most important criterion affecting females’ mating intention. The least important criterion is appearance. Thirdly, Luohu females generally think women’s most important criteria are youthfulness and being kindhearted.

By studying the ‘love market’, it is hoped that the results could provide some directions or hints for men to enhance their competitiveness, i.e., their criteria, in finding a mate in the love market in Luohu District, Shenzhen.