Why Single Chinese Women Are Embracing Fake Baby Bumps for Maternity Photoshoots

In recent years, an intriguing trend has emerged in China where single women are opting for maternity photoshoots wearing fake baby bumps. This phenomenon, which has gained attention across social media and various news outlets, challenges long-standing cultural stigmas associated with single motherhood while reflecting broader societal changes. As the country grapples with declining birth rates and lower marriage rates, many women are choosing to redefine how they view life milestones like motherhood and family.

The motivation behind this trend lies in a desire to capture the beauty of pregnancy at a time when their physical appearance aligns with personal preferences. These women want to preserve the memory of their "ideal" selves before undergoing any physical changes that could come with an actual pregnancy. The term "premade maternity photos" has become popular to describe this practice, where women pose with artificial baby bumps to document their imagined future as mothers.

This trend gained significant traction when a Generation Z influencer, known as Meizi Gege, shared her experience with her followers. Meizi, who has over 5.7 million followers on a prominent Chinese social media platform, explained that she decided to take maternity photos while she was still slim. In her posts, she shared that the experience allowed her to embrace a "pre-made life," capturing memories with her best friend. Meizi’s openness about her decision inspired many young women to consider doing the same, leading to a wave of social media posts featuring fake maternity photos.

For many women, this trend also ties into a broader phenomenon of planning life events ahead of time. For example, one woman shared that she took maternity photos at 23, even though she was unmarried at the time. Similarly, another woman revealed that she had her wedding photos taken at 22, just in case she developed wrinkles by the time she actually got married. These anecdotes highlight a growing emphasis on preserving one’s youthful image in anticipation of future life milestones.

While the trend has gained popularity among younger generations, it has also sparked significant debate. Critics argue that it promotes unrealistic beauty standards by idealizing being white, skinny, and young. These critics point out that the trend could inadvertently fuel body image issues, especially for women who may feel pressured to maintain a slim and youthful appearance during and after pregnancy. Social media users have shared their perspectives, with some responding to the trend with humor and satire. One user quipped that they would take their 70th birthday photos now and post them in the future to appear perpetually young. Another joked about arranging funeral photos in advance to ensure they looked their best even in death.

Despite the criticism, the trend has also found supporters who see it as an empowering choice for women. By taking control of how they want to be remembered, these women are challenging traditional expectations and embracing a form of self-expression that prioritizes their individual desires over societal norms. The trend also reflects changing attitudes toward motherhood in China, where the concept of family is evolving alongside shifts in gender roles and economic pressures.