What Will Happen in 20 to 30 Years?

My Australian friend, Marion, brought up a great topic in another thread. The implications of population trends in Asia.

Through the selective abortion of female fetuses and the outright murder of girl babies, many Asian families seek sons - and only sons. The net effect is going to be a huge surplus of men and a huge lack of possible wives for these men in 20 to 30 years. What will happen?

As I have stated before, what will NOT happen is any of the straight men deciding to "go gay." Humans just do not work that way. But what is a nation, a continent, many societies to do with MILLIONS of lonely, needy men?

I believe that as the world grows smaller through the Internet, cable, sattelites, etc. this situation is one of global implications. It will affect us in California as well as the folks in Shanghai, Delhi, and Bangkok. What will a society do with all these extra men?

Currently in the USA we have many more families willing and wanting to adopt babies than there are USA babies (of the "right" color or availability) So, in our ever smaller world, families in the USA have been adopting the children of the world - Russian, Chinese, eastern European babies are imported to the USA every day.

Perhaps the net effect of the glut of Chinese men will be the importation of European and American and Latin American wives ... we have slightly more women than men in these societies. I also predict that these wives will not be in their 20's (unless the Asian husband is rich) but in their 30's and 40's. Mostly child bearing ages, but older than most brides.

But if the Asians desire American brides, the Asians will have to learn English - USA folks are horribly uni-lingual. (It is becoming a handicap on Facebook not to speak Spanish for me - darn it all, moi, j'etude Francais a l'universite! LOL) But the American women will be hesitent to go to Asia unless their future husband can contact them and speak and write in English. Which mean their Eurasian children will be bilingual in English and Chinese. This fact - millions of Eurasian bilingual children - will probably bring on a reaction - a "Keep China Chinese" reaction. That is my prediction for 2050.

This topic interests me. What do you think are the implications of the horrible practice of selective abortion and infanticide in the societies of Asia that value boys over girls to a large extent?

How about mail order grooms?!

I know...it is a serious subject and here I am joking. Kind of.

It could happen though. All those men might decide the only way for them to find women is to offer themselves up as mail order grooms. Just because the men are from China or wherever doesn't mean they can't leave there.

I just like to try to look at things from a different angle sometimes.

Interesting, Richard!

I think the effects will be far reaching. Not only in relationships and future generations, but also in economics, ethics, employment, you name it. Actually, it's a little scary how the Asian society is promoting the selective genetics of male over female, with the possibility of huge problems, many of which may not be known until many years have passed.

Becky

My two cents from my corner of the world, I am certain there are books out there that have been written on this subject as it is intriguing.

It is a very complex subject and one that you have only hit the surface of, but of the surface that you have spoke about, Richard, your view is of anglo english speaking American. The world is so much more diverse and what we knew as kids has already shifted. Caucasions have long stopped breeding and interrational marraiges are prevalant. I've already read an article that the true blond will be rare in 100 years. Borders and politics are always evolving in our time as you have seen with the fall of the iron curtain and the liberation of some of their lands as well as the Berlin wall, and Hong Kong going from English rule to China rule. I do believe that when we were kids, most of the Saudi Arabians and area were struggling in poverty (I may be wrong in that).

Africa is undergoing an enourmous aids epidemic whereas children are being orphaned and raised without parents and there is no telling what kind of impact that may have. The population explosion in India is still out of control and on top of all of this mother nature still continues to hammer certain areas as if to cull things. Canada the US and other countries have allowed a certain quota of immigrants in to increase their decreasing birthrates so the lines of race become muddled even further across the board.

I'm prattling on here cause I think it would be fun to brainstorm all these ideas and situations first to see the probability of the way the world would likely go. Is China wrong in saying one child only? Considering how many people they have, I'd say no. It is unfortunate that males are valued over females. Could this also mean that the women will eventually rule the world for a period of time?

So many variables.

Interesting topic Richard.

Angela

One obvious result in Asia, I've considered, is that the price for and the number of sex workers in Asia is going to explode in the next few decades. So many single men, working with income, and no wife, no girlfirend. A sex worker's paradise. Better than Las Vegas USA.

Women ruling the world, Angela? I thought they already did - but I am a Southern boy at heart and it twists my perceptions.

Good lord Richard...it is SOOOOOO still a man's world! lol I'm laughing but not kidding.

I can't add much right now because my head is not good and I'm medicated, but I love this topic choice. How dare you speak of this inflammatory subject!!!! lmao

Damn, I totally had an intelligent thought to add to this and now it's gone. Ohhhhhh...opiods.

I think we learn best from nature. What do other species do when one gender is less "available"?

What role will surrogates play?

Will a woman be hired by a family to "provide" a child?

Will there be a huge "womb for rent" market?

Will female children become more important then males simply to provide a means to further the family name?

(blush) Milo, I am well aware of my male-privlege. Don't like it, but recognize it and try to counter it when it works against my women colleagues. Still, I believe there are many dissertations to be written on the exercise of power in society by women. Not the "Margaret Thatcher" women, but the women like my Mom, a great homemaker, who rules the roost and always has done so (in tandem with Dad).

I've been given a gift of insight through several transgendered patients. Many of my female to male patients have explained what male privelage really is.

I too was raised with strong female role models. I'm blessed to still have many in my life surrounding me.

I've read my last post and would like to add a question about hidden market eggs. Obviously, families would also have to obtain good quality eggs to use a surrogate.

I'd love to know more about law in China.

Mind you, I'd love to know more about a lot of things.

I have a couple of single girlfriends in their 40's, I could suggest them a vacation to China ...
Just kiddin', of course...

On a serious note, I think that the scenarios that you describe are all possible.

I just wonder how many marriages will be make only for interest and how many babies will be born only for family affairs....

I agree with you on the increase of prostitution in China. How sad....

Perhaps we'll see more items like this one. This man married a woman shaped pillow. Odd, but true.

http://perezhilton.com/2010-03-10-man-marries-pillow

Wow! All good points made on this topic.

I really can't fathom what impact this will have on the world.

My sister-in-law is from Shanghai. She has told us many stories. Her father is a doctor there. I guess he doesn't really get to pick where he wants to work. Basically the government tells you where you will go. And you don't make alot of money like doctors here do.

Also, until she brought it up, I really hadn't noticed all the "mao" stuff that is out there.

There are all kinds of T-shirts, caps, etc. and he is idolized by some people.

She told us stories of just what a cruel dictator he was.

Recently I watched a documentary on Mike Tyson and he has a Mao tattoo and thinks he is great!

Weird. Anyway, speaking of babies from other parts of the world, my brother and his wife are adopting a baby girl from China.

I think it is really neat because one of those precious girls gets a good home and the baby will look like it is really theirs.

They are getting ready to make a second trip over to finish the adoption. Cross your fingers for them. It would absolutely break their hearts if they ended up not getting her.

Cindy