Sandy Sin Chi To 杜先致
Sandy To is a sociologist with a PhD from the University of Cambridge who writes and speaks globally about women’s partner choices on TV, radio, podcasts, keynotes and seminars. She has nine years of teaching experience at the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Metropolitan University and Hong Kong Baptist University. 'China’s Leftover Women: Late Marriage among Professional Women and its Consequences' is her first book, and she has written articles for leading academic journals.
Biography
Sandy To received her PhD in sociology from the University of Cambridge. Her PhD thesis explored the marriage partner choices of highly educated single Chinese women known as 'leftover women' (shengnü). Being the first study that explored women's partner choices from a grounded theory perspective, it was featured widely in media outlets such as BBC, TIME, Financial Times, Telegraph, Deutsche Welle, Daily Mail and South China Morning Post etc. Her work has appeared in academic journals such as Symbolic Interaction, Journal of Family Issues, and Families, Relationships and Societies. Her first book is 'China's Leftover Women: Late Marriage among Professional Women and its Consequences'. In addition to holding a PhD in sociology, she also has an MA in English and Comparative Literature, and is a writer of fiction and self-help books.Education
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PhD in Sociology, University of Cambridge
MPhil in Sociology, University of Hong Kong
MA in English and Comp Lit, University of Warwick
BA in English and Comp Lit (1st Hons), Univ of Hong Kong
Areas of Research / Professional Expertise
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Gender and Feminism, Marriage and Family, Contemporary Chinese Society, Qualitative Methodologies, Creative Writing
Personal Interests
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Piano, Art, Yoga, Astrology, Skiing, Cycling
Websites
Books
Articles
Caveats and Criteria: Intercultural Courtships of Shengnü (‘Leftover Women’) and Western Men in Urban China
Published: Apr 05, 2020 by Families, Relationships and Societies
Authors: Sandy To
Subjects:
Gender & Sexuality, Sociology, Anthropology - Soc Sci, Asian Studies, Gender & Intersectionality Studies
In this study of 17 women's intercultural courtship experiences, it was difficult for them to find Western men who were looking for serious relationships. The topic of intercultural courtships brings to light the highly educated single Chinese women who straddle the world of a global cosmopolitan professional elite, and the world of a developing Chinese economy where traditional features like filial piety and guanxi (social connections) still endure.
Family Relations and Remarriage Post-Divorce and Post-Widowhood in China
Published: Dec 24, 2017 by Journal of Family Issues
Authors: Yang Hu, Sandy To
Analyzing event history data from the 2010 China Family Panel Studies and 13 qualitative interviews, we examine the complex and gendered relationship between family relations and remarriage in China.
'My Mother Wants Me To Jiaru-haomen (Marry Into A Rich And Powerful Family)!'
Published: Jan 20, 2015 by Sage Open
Authors: Sandy To
Subjects:
Sociology, Asian Studies
In an era of individualization, Chinese individuals often have to face the challenge of balancing their personal choices with their filial obligations. This study explores the “marital filial strategies” of unmarried Chinese professional women who face filial contentions in their “marriage timing” and “partner choice.”
Understanding Sheng Nu (“Leftover Women”): the Phenomenon of Late Marriage among
Published: Jan 20, 2013 by Symbolic Interaction
Authors: Sandy To
Subjects:
Sociology, Asian Studies
In the past few decades, there has been a rise in the number of single, unmarried Chinese professional women, which is known as the sheng nu or “leftover women” phenomenon. Through an interactionist grounded theory method, this study has located the interactional constraints faced by 50 single Chinese professional women that were issued by their male romantic partners and parents.
Photos
Videos
Published: Jan 26, 2013
This video explains the 'sheng nu' ('leftover women') phenomenon in China, and introduces the '4 different types' of 'leftover women' and their partner choice strategies.