Women More Likely to Blacklist Contacts on Social Media

According to the 2014-2015 Beijing Blue Book of Social Mentality, 41.2 percent of the women respondents would blacklist some of their contacts, compared with 28.8 percent of men. [The Beijing News/Zhang Yan]

Over 40 percent of women in Beijing would "blacklist" their contacts on social media, much more than their male counterparts, as was revealed in the 2014-15 Beijing Blue Book of Social Mentality, released on August 23.

Initiated by the Beijing Social Mentality Research Institution, the book reveals the latest findings of a study that involves over 4,000 Beijing residents aged between 18 and 70, in some 16 districts and surrounding counties.

The yearly publication looks into the current mindset and life values of the capital's urbanite, forward-looking population.

According to the report, 41.2 percent of the women respondents would blacklist some of their contacts, compared with 28.8 percent of men, which is in line with women's greater caution in handling "friend requests" in social tools such as WeChat and QQ (two of China's most popular instant messaging platforms).

The "blacklisted" contacts include: those who were involved in product advertizing and pyramid schemes, those who used threatening language, and those who trade coupon-schemes for "likes." They are the most likely to be rejected, accounting for 72.1, 72.0 and 24.5 percent respectively.

In addition, people tend to hide their "moments" from those with certain relationships in between, such as netizens with weak bonds, "inquisitive" parents and relatives, as well as colleagues and partners.

Social Mentality about Employment, Family Life, Education

Apart from social interaction, the book has also produced results about people's ideas and values concerning employment, family life and education.

A high proportion (81.9 percent) of respondents have found a gap between their current employer and their ideal one, which has, to some extent, led to an "employment dilemma" facing millions in China.

Benefits figure most importantly to these people—job security, salary, working conditions and working hours are key considerations. In addition, they yearn for "impartial and considerate superiors" and sound interactions with colleagues.

In contrast, over 92 percent of the residents are satisfied with their family life and 90 percent attribute much significance in their life to their happy marriage. Meanwhile, good health ranks among the top three pursuits of the respondents, with 90 percent preferring it to any other thing.

When it comes to education, an issue that Chinese people have always attached great importance to, the respondents pointed to three areas needing improvement in Chinese schools: tapping potential; cultivating imagination and creativity; and enhancing moral education.

Some 30 percent of parents therefore prefer foreign education and about 60 percent vow to send the kids to prestigious institutions. For those from modest economic backgrounds, they believe that formal education is a precondition for their child's later achievements.

(Source: The Beijing News/Translated and edited by Women of China)