A professor at a medical university in China has sparked controversy by claiming that women who give birth to 10 children can live to be 100 years old.
According to a recent South China Morning Post (SCMP) report, a professor at a medical university in northern Inner Mongolia made a controversial statement during a class. He argued, “Some women may succeed in their careers but have shorter lifespans. However, grandmothers in rural areas with eight or ten children typically live to be 90 or even 100 years old.” He added, “From my observations, the common trait of these prolific grandmothers is that they do not suffer from serious illnesses, which increases their chances of living a long life.”
Once the professor’s statement spread widely on social media, it sparked criticism. One online user questioned, “Do you have any scientific evidence to support your claim?” while another remarked, “Aren’t you aware that women can die during childbirth?” Yet another commenter expressed frustration, saying, “Are you trying to pressure us into having children? Raising kids is so expensive that young people choose not to have them.”
Meanwhile, China is grappling with a low birthrate and an aging population, as many young people are increasingly reluctant to marry or have children. China’s population declined for the first time in 60 years in 2022. In 2023, the country recorded its lowest birth rate, with just 6.39 births per 1,000 women.