“Unachievable Adulthood?!” - Exploring the journey of family formation for young people with care experience in China

This study examines the family formation journeys of care leavers in China, focusing on how they plan, navigate, and face challenges during this process. Using convenience and snowball sampling, 19 participants (16 care leavers, 3 care stayers) were interviewed. Thematic analysis identified three family pathways: (i) acquaintance-matched, (ii) self-matched, and (iii) marriage “on the way”. The findings reveal ongoing social exclusion and obstacles to family formation, particularly for male care leavers, due to financial pressures, discrimination, and trauma. The study highlights the need for targeted support and social change to improve outcomes for care leavers in China.