The traditional set-up of Shanghai men working while women staying home is undergoing transformation. According a survey of that city, 46 percent of Shanghai men crave to marry "rich women", and 73 percent of men in that city are willing to be "house-husbands."

This survey targets Shanghai white-collar males earning between 3,000 to 5,000 yuan per month (US$390 to 620), and between the ages of 28 to 32. The vast majority of male white-collar workers surveyed are willing to accept "new" division of labor situation, with many expressing strong interest in managing household affairs.

Further investigation revealed that Shanghai men seriously interested in domestic housekeeping principally reflects Shanghai's intense competitiveness and pressure in the workplace.

Shanghai women gradually occupy more important positions in the workplace and at the same time these women spend less time at home, more of the former housework they handle and the responsibility of taking care of home will fall on the other partner.

At present, Shanghai is the city with the largest number of working women. Some Shanghai men candidly admit that a steady job and high income have surpassed other factors and become the primary considerations for choosing girlfriends and marriage partners.

(China Daily March 29, 2006)