Expert teams

The V-Love Mothers Hotline was launched by Vipshop, an online shopping program, on Mother's Day, 2019. Since its inception, the hotline has received more requests for psychological counseling than for legal help.

In terms of legal advice, V-Love's duty lawyers, who all have experience of handling marital and family disputes or litigation cases, provide free guidance for single mothers so they can avoid the dilemma of "not knowing the law or not understanding the use of the law", Huang said.

When it comes to psychological counseling, every member of the expert team holds the national registered psychological consultant certificate and has practical experience in matters related to family relations, female emotions and the growth of children and teenagers. All of this can help solve single mothers' problems and relieve psychological pressure.

During his three years with the hotline, Huang has heard many family stories that sounded like TV dramas. He said that it's essential to separate work and life and not to let his work affect his emotional stability. In fact, his job has helped deepen his understanding of and respect for his girlfriend of three years.

"I think some women are less robust (than men), and I know how they feel if they get hurt. I know that they need respect, understanding, support and care, which has had a good impact on my own relationship," he said.

Overall, issues related to domestic violence, divorce process consultation, child custody, unfaithful husbands and the division of property account for the highest number of problems described by callers, he said

Huang was forthright when asked what advice he had for women before marriage or childbirth.

"Don't regard marriage or having children as a way of solving problems. Many people think that when a couple has a relationship problem, just getting married or having a child to bond with each other can help solve it, but that move often backfires and leads to more serious consequences," he said.

Contact the writer at yandongjie@chinadaily.com.cn