The new trend of full-time children stems from unemployment
A new trend in China is grabbing global attention. It is being employed as full-time children to one's own parents. In this, parents hire their own kids full-time on a specific payment.
What is the reason behind the emergence of this new trend?
Youth employment has been a national concern in China. As per reports, the jobless status of the world's second-largest economy has hit increased especially after three years of zero COVID restrictions. In June 2023, the rate of employment among 16 to 24-year-old people was 21.3%.
Chinese social media is buzzing with this new job trend
#FullTimeDaughter, #FullTimeSon are trending big on Chinese social media platforms. These are the kids who are hired by their parents to do chores for them and be available whenever they are needed. While the exact pay structure for this job is unknown, as per reports these full time kids are paid closer to 8,000 Yuan a month which is the average salary in China.
What does this job entail?
In this job, the kid has to spend time with parents, do household chores, and take them to grocery stores. “Also, if my parents want to go out, I would make plans in advance, taking them to various stores," Jia Zhang, who currently works as a full time daughter to her parents, told NBC News.
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Some are voluntarily taking this job after being exhausted from job life
BBC reported about a 29 year old game developer who decided to become a full time daughter after she felt overworked and exhausted. She spends her day by washing dishes, cooking meals, and doing chores for her parents. Julie is a part of those Chinese youth who believe that being a full time kid will give them more time and space to relax and look for better jobs; but the dismal job market is a dampener.
Let's look at China's gruelling work culture
Work culture in the country is nicknamed as 996 which means working from 9 am to 9 pm for 6 days a week. The new norm in job market that companies are unwilling to hire people older than 35 as they are "more expensive" than less experienced young people is also putting an enormous burden on working individuals. Fewer job opportunities had always been an issue. China's slower-than-expected economic recovery post-COVID is a key reason for the high unemployment, Bruce Pang, chief economist for Greater China at Jones Lang LaSalle told BBC.