Male Midwife Zhang Jintao Defies Stereotypes, Gains Viral Fame in China

China’s Gen Z Male Midwife Goes Viral for Skills and Compassion, Overcoming Criticism

A 25-year-old male midwife from eastern China has captured widespread attention for his professional expertise, striking appearance, and the empathy he brings to childbirth, defying societal stereotypes and familial criticism along the way.

Zhang Jintao, hailing from Yiwu in Zhejiang province, works at a leading provincial hospital after completing his university education. In a country where men made up only 3% of nurses in 2021, the number of male midwives is even smaller, making Zhang’s career path particularly unique.

Despite his achievements, Zhang has faced criticism from older male relatives, who labeled his choice of profession as “shameful” and “embarrassing.” However, he remains deeply committed to his work, saying that witnessing childbirth has given him profound respect for the strength of women and reinforced his belief in the meaningfulness of his role.

One of Zhang’s biggest challenges has been gaining the trust of expectant mothers and their families. Traditional attitudes toward privacy often lead some women to refuse care from male midwives. Zhang emphasizes the importance of respecting patients’ wishes and acknowledges that this sensitivity is fundamental to his work.

Although he once considered leaving the profession, Zhang ultimately decided to stay, continuing to provide what some have described as “powerful tenderness” in his care for mothers and newborns.