Knocking off at five p.m., Xiao Li went shopping with her best friend instead of rushing back home to prepare supper. It might seem that she is single but she has been married for three years.

Actually, Xiao Li represents a group of people who are married and never hide their married status, but still live single lives. Some people agree with them and consider this phenomenon as an inevitable result of social development, while others hold a contrary view.

'Single couples': "I'm not fond of single life. Actually I used to plan to be a traditional wife before I got married. However, we have to face the reality."

Living Separate Lives

Some 'single couples' may live together, but retain their own lives. They are regulars of the gym and go to their friends' parties separately. Other 'couples' may live separately and date regularly. They may take a walk in the park or go on a trip together, just like they were first in love. They never cook at home, but dine out at various restaurants. They keep each others' living habits and daily routines, but never hide their married status.

Being married for two years, Xiao Bao, an employee in a foreign company, has never stopped partying and meeting men. To her, the only difference between single life is that she now lives with her partner. She and her husband retain each others' lifestyle and circles.

Li Fang, a journalist of a newspaper in Beijing, lives in her own apartment. And her husband lives in his. It's more convenient for them to go to work. They meet each other at weekends or holidays.

Only One Choice

Li Fang's husband works in a state-owned enterprise located in the suburban area of Beijing. He has been living in the dorm near his office since before he got married. It is very convenient for him to walk to work and eat at the dining hall. Therefore, he has decided to stay there and Li Fang has never thought about moving to the suburb to live with her husband.

"I'm not fond of single life. Actually I used to plan to be a traditional wife before I got married. However, we have to face the reality." Li Fang said.

Many 'single couples' share the same situation as Li Fang.

Guo, a policeman in Beijing, lives with his wife, but seldom gets to chat with her. Guo said, "As a policeman, I usually work overtime till midnight. While investigating some serious cases, I have to work for a whole week without going home. However, my wife is a morning bird. She goes to work early and I even don't know what time she goes out for work sometimes." Guo said.

'Single couples': "We won't be bothered by everyday chores, but cherish the time we spend together."

Is it a temporary period in the marriage?

Some 'single couples' are quite content with their live style. Xiao Li described her relation with her husband as a 'roomie'. It sounds incredible but Xiao Li doesn't think there's problem between her and her husband.

"We won't be bothered by everyday chores, but cherish the time we spend together," she said, emphasizing her traditional concept of marriage, "Marriage changed me psychologically. I don't feel lonely any more."

Li Fang said retaining the single life after getting married required the couple's trust and understanding toward each other. She analyzed that this status should be a temporary period while both of the couples concentrate on their career. It should end when they have children or when one of the couple is willing to return to the family.

The change of life style and social values reflected in marriage

"Single couples' is a product of social development." Chen Yang, a psychologist, analyzed. "The traditional concept of marriage has been challenged by modern society."

"Many marriage problems are caused by the burden that marriages bear. The traditional concept of marriage was proper in the old time when people lacked money and chance. It was necessary to bundle two people together to fight against difficulties, and to provide a sense of safety to each other. As time goes by, the traditional marriage has become a durance for modern people." Chen believed that the social development has persuaded people, especially the younger generation, to pursue for more freedom. When the generation who were born in the 1980s enters marriage they will certainly bring their lifestyle and values to their marriages. Therefore, the status of 'single couples' becomes one of their choices.

Chen explained that the younger generation grew up with the memory of their parents' marriage problems. They have seen their parents' marriage problems clearly and therefore they do not pursue the permanence of marriage, but focus on protecting each other. The living status of 'single couples' is also a choice of self-protection.

Although people like Chen Yang have to give much understanding and tolerance to the phenomenon of 'single couples', many other people still hold a contrary view. Ms. Wang, a retired teacher, said that she could not agree with those couples who are intended to live a single life. She believed that in a marriage couples deliver to each other not only responsibilities, but also love.