China’s Youth Opt for ‘Full-Time Children’ Status Amid Job Scarcity
Welcome to the evolving landscape of China’s job market, where young adults are choosing to become ‘full-time children’. This trend, which emerged on the popular Chinese social media site Douban, sees young people retreating to their family homes due to the difficulty of finding work. This article explores this phenomenon and its potential implications for China’s economy.
The Rise of ‘Full-Time Children’
In China, a unique trend is taking root among the youth. They are grappling with a challenging job market. As a result, many are opting to become ‘full-time children’. This term first surfaced on Douban, a popular social media site, late last year. It refers to young adults, primarily in their 20s, choosing to live at home. They perform household duties in return for financial support from their parents. This trend is driven not just by dissatisfaction or a longing for a simpler life. It’s also a response to the stark reality of unemployment.
The Unemployment Crisis
The unemployment rate for urban youth aged 16 to 24 hit a record high of 21.3% last month. This figure, however, may not fully capture the extent of the problem. If the estimated 16 million young people ‘lying flat’ at home or relying on their parents were included, the true unemployment rate for youth could have been as high as 46.5% in March, according to Zhang Dandan, an associate professor at Peking University.
The Impact of the Pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic has played a significant role in shaping this trend. The traumatic experiences with strict pandemic measures have led many young people to rethink their life goals, with support from their parents. The desire to spend quality time with loved ones and contemplate the meaning of life still lingers among China’s youth.
Economic Implications
The rise of ‘full-time children’ is a sign that young people are facing shrinking opportunities in an economy that had previously powered ahead for decades. The private sector, the backbone of the economy and the biggest source of employment, has been hit by a sweeping regulatory crackdown since late 2020. This has led to a slowdown in China’s economic recovery and weak business confidence.
In a nutshell, while the ‘full-time children’ phenomenon may offer a short-term solution to the unemployment problem, it is not a viable long-term strategy. If young people are not in the labor market acquiring skills and looking for better opportunities, they may become unemployable. This could lead to a situation where short-term dislocations in the labor market become permanent, posing a significant challenge for China’s economy.
