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'Divorce club' launched in Shanghai
The club reportedly aims at helping divorcees deal with the break-up of marriages and shake off their traumas.
A "divorce club" was launched on the Valentine's Day in the east China metropolis of Shanghai. Its aim is to help divorcees deal with the break-up of marriages and shake off their traumas, local media reported.
At least 135 wealthy men and women had joined the club by the end of last week, among whom there were both divorcees and people seeking a divorce, the Shanghai-based Youth Daily said on its website.
The "divorce club" will provide counselling services for its members, and will also organise social gatherings and divorce celebrations, said the report.
The club was launched on the Valentine's Day because "it is a happy thing to escape from a dead marriage", the website quoted president of the club, Shu Xin, as saying.
Shu claimed the club's website, now under construction, is designed to accept up to one million members from across the world. About 200 sociologists and family and marriage specialists will provide counselling online.
A recent research in Shanghai, China's largest city with a population of some 14 million, shows about 40 per cent of divorcees suffer psychological crises, particularly in the first six months after the marriage break-up. Some serious cases can lead to autism, retaliation or suicide. Compared with men, divorced women often face more problems.
"I feel I will be on good terms and communicate freely with other members of the club," said Liang, a lady in her 40s whose ex-husband had an extramarital affair.
Liang conceded that before receiving counselling service at the club, she had thought for many times of committing suicide.
"It's kinda soothing to find out many others are suffering as much as you do," Liang added.
Shu, the club president, said the club also aims to provide aid for members facing financial difficulties after the divorce.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, some 1.6 million Chinese couples parted in 2004, up 21.2 per cent over the previous year.
