In China, an unusual phenomenon termed “full-time children” is gaining attention and somehow it is now spreading across South-East Asia where the birth rate is dropping constantly.
This concept involves adults being compensated by their parents to perform the role of their children full-time. Tasks include accompanying their parents on outings, assisting with household chores, and generally spending time together.
However, the emergence of this role is rooted in less than ideal circumstances. The trend has arisen as a response to prolonged pandemic lockdowns and a significant rise in unemployment rates among the youth.
China’s struggle with youth unemployment is a growing concern for its economy, which has been heavily impacted by strict “zero-Covid” policies. A report from the National Bureau of Statistics highlighted that in June, the unemployment rate for individuals aged 16 to 24 hit a record high of 21.3 percent.
According to NBC News, many young adults find themselves becoming “full-time children” while they search for employment or further their education.
Despite the popularity of hashtags like #FullTimeDaughter and #FullTimeSon on social media, Chinese society often criticizes these individuals for relying on their parents for financial support, using the pejorative term “chewing the old” to describe their dependency.
Views on this trend among parents vary; some consider it a “blessing,” while others see it as a temporary measure, not a sustainable long-term solution.
Mao Xuxin, a principal economist at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research in Britain, expressed concern over the trend, indicating the gravity of the situation regarding youth unemployment and its implications for the Chinese economy.