“The biggest problem they face once their partner abandons them is the issue of hukou, they are not able to get a household registration for the child. They also find themselves in very hard economic condition, because the original family excludes them, they do not have any income and it’s hard for them to find a job.”

Yi Ran’s son is now three years old. Without the household registration he will not be allowed into kindergarten. Each time he gets sick, medical fees are higher than average. Since his mother does not have a marriage certificate, she cannot apply for registration.

Little Bird’s Wei Wei says there are few solutions other than marriage.

But there is no way to avoid the social compensation fees for unwed mothers for breaking the one-child policy.

The fines are often paid only by single mothers because their partners abandon them. The amount differs and, in some areas, can be equal to one year’s income. People like Yi Ran do not have family support and fall outside social welfare programs for married couples. The women find it very difficult to pay social compensation fees.

Growing Importance of Social Networks

With little to no help available to them, unwed mothers rely heavily on each other. Many go on the Internet to find help and support.

More than 3,000 users are said to be active in an online chat forum for unwed mothers on the Internet portal Baidu.