In recent years, a new approach to co-living among single mothers has been actively developing in China, where they unite for the joint upbringing of children and sharing household responsibilities. Details about this phenomenon are provided by The Guardian.
Social networks are becoming a platform for mothers looking for like-minded individuals for cohabitation. Many of them share their ads seeking neighbors.
“I want to find another mom to live together and support each other. If the children are of the same age — that’s just wonderful, they can be friends. When you are alone with a child, sometimes there isn’t even enough time to eat,” wrote one mother in the popular app Rednote.
Although there are no official statistics on this issue, experts note that such initiatives are becoming increasingly noticeable — from search ads to discussions on how to organize cohabitation.
According to estimates, there are about 30 million single mothers in China. The divorce rate has quadrupled over the past 20 years, and in most cases, children remain with their mothers. Despite the law requiring alimony payments, many single mothers in large cities live below the poverty line.
One such pair of mothers who have become an example of this new living format are Zu Danyuy and Fei Yuan, who have been living together in Nanjing since 2022.
“We both understand why we live together: to ease life’s difficulties and share the burden,” shares Zu Danyuy.
Both women are divorced: Zu has two daughters, while Fei has one. Their friendship strengthened during the pandemic and lockdown, which ultimately led to the decision to live together.
Fei prefers order but does not know how to cook, while Zu is an excellent cook. Currently, they run a joint business, live as one family, and share household and parenting duties. Their children do homework and spend weekends together.
Despite criticism and mockery online, their relatives support their choice.
“For us, the most important thing is the happiness and health of our children, their success in studies, and the prosperity of our business,” adds Zu.
Experts emphasize that single parents in China face particular financial difficulties, as government support is virtually nonexistent, and assistance from relatives is often insufficient. Therefore, many seek mutual aid through social networks.
