Divorce rates peak following end of kids' gaokao

Source:China Daily

An annual "divorce peak" reemerged recently as a large number of couples ended their marriages after their children completed China's national college entrance exam, known as the gaokao.

A peak in divorces has occurred in recent years from June to September, immediately following the exam, according to marriage lawyer Zhou Hao in Wuhan, Hubei province.

Since the end of this year's gaokao, Zhou has received about 30 requests for divorce assistance, with more than 20 involving mothers whose children took part in this year's college entrance exam.

Psychological expert Jia Hongwu has also received 20 to 30 similar requests. In one situation, a couple from Wuhan had been faking their relationship for the sake of their daughter, who took the gaokao this year. They did not want family troubles to hinder her performance on the exam, despite the fact that the couple signed a divorce agreement five years ago.

Jia advised the couple to delay divorce proceedings in order to pamper their daughter, who is about to enter college. It is psychologically stressful for freshmen to start college after such extremely demanding exams, according to Jia.

Another marriage expert named Zou Min also believes that parents should delay divorces to protect children as they start college.