Woman aborts at 5 months after boyfriend dodges bride price

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A 35-year-old woman from Fujian province in southeastern China terminated her five-month pregnancy after her boyfriend, Liang, failed to pay the agreed bride price of 220,000 yuan (US$31,000), sparking debates on social media.

Tingting, who already had two children from a previous marriage, became pregnant two months into her relationship with Liang in August 2023. Although Liang promised marriage, he delayed paying the bride price until December due to investments in wealth management products.

Despite Tingting's requests, Liang kept dodging conversations about the bride price. Tingting agreed to wait, but tensions arose as Liang continued to avoid the issue. Tingting, expecting to start a new life with Liang, pressed him about the bride price as December approached, but he evaded the conversation, claiming the money was earmarked for his mother's home renovation.

Despite Tingting's willingness to share the bride price with Liang's mother, he still didn't pay, fearing Tingting's family might give it to their son. Frustrated, Tingting decided to terminate her pregnancy at the beginning of the year and ended her relationship with Liang, demanding an apology and compensation.

Opinions on social media varied. Some supported Tingting's decision, citing potential suffering for her and the unborn child, while others criticized the exorbitant bride price. Bride price disputes are not uncommon in China, often going viral, with recent cases involving demands ranging from 288,000 to 380,000 yuan.

In traditional Chinese weddings, men typically pay a bride price to the woman's family, ranging from 10,000 to one million yuan. However, the government has initiated reforms in such customs. In February, a local authority in southern China introduced an incentive scheme offering newlywed families priority in school choice for their children in exchange for capping the bride price at 39,000 yuan.

Source: SCMP