“Fertility fear” on Chinese social media: The disciplined female reproductive bodies and resistance towards motherhood

Despite China's shift to the 'comprehensive two-child' policy in 2019, fertility rates continue to decline. This study examines the discourse of 'fertility fear' (kongyu 恐育) among young, unmarried Chinese women, particularly on social media platforms like Weibo, RED, and Douban. By analysing trending hashtags such as #Marriage and Fertility Fear, the study explores the anxieties surrounding motherhood. Anchored in the theoretical frameworks of biopolitics and feminist studies on motherhood, it explores historical and current state controls over female reproductive autonomy. The study discusses how patriarchal norms and societal pressures enforce strict reproductive timelines, stigmatizing deviations and maintaining gender inequalities. Online discourses often blame male irresponsibility for reproductive fears while overlooking systemic issues like inadequate family policies and capitalist labour dynamics. Moreover, the antithetical narrative dichotomy between childless women and mothers reflects a broader rejection of traditional motherhood constructs, with the latter criticized for capitulating to patriarchal dictates. By dissecting the 'fertility fear' discourse, this study illuminates the interplay between state policies, societal norms, and personal agency in reproductive decisions. It provides insights into the evolving dynamics of gender, motherhood, and female autonomy in post-reform China, emphasizing the need to address both individual and structural aspects of reproductive governance.