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Yating Yang

As China’s job market continues to struggle, a new trend in which young people become “full-time grandchildren” by returning home to care for their elderly grandparents has gone viral.
The trend addresses their own employment problems and the growing need for companionship among the elderly.
Such so-called full-time grandchildren provide companionship, emotional support and daily help to elderly or disabled family members.
Compared to “full-time children,” who primarily accompany able-bodied parents, “full-time grandchildren” are often seen as more filial.

One such 26-year-old who was unable to find work after failing her postgraduate and civil service exams accepted her grandfather’s invitation to return home.
“If you take good care of me and help me live a few more years, that is better than anything else you could do out there,” her grandfather said.
She receives 7,000 yuan (US$1,000) a month from her grandfather’s 10,000 yuan pension.
The new trend is rooted in China’s severe youth employment challenges.
In April, the urban unemployment rate for people aged 16 to 24 stood at 15.8 per cent, meaning one in six young people was jobless.

While these young adults may have previously been pampered at home, they quickly mature into their new roles, navigating hospital visits, managing daily schedules and medications, and taking charge of most household affairs.
Some encourage their grandparents to adopt healthier habits by taking them to popular milk tea chains and turning simple outings into fun, motivating experiences.
Others, aware of their grandparents’ frugal habits, treat them to fashionable restaurants.
Since grandparents often prefer to handle things themselves, the role is often that of providing mental and emotional support.
One young person said: “At work, all I got for my efforts were empty promises. But as a full-time grandchild, if I mention a craving for something at night, my grandma is out buying it the next morning.”
Many also say the experience has led to personal growth and a re-evaluation of the true meaning of life.
Another 24-year-old “full-time grandchild,” identified as Xiaolin, told Sanlian Life Lab.

“We only have about 30,000 days in a lifetime, and for my grandparents, each day is part of a countdown. I can earn bonuses at work later in life, but time with them, once gone, is gone forever.”
The trend has sparked a heated discussion online.
One person said: “Hiring someone from outside to care for the elderly is expensive. Having family do it is more attentive, better for everyone.”
However, another said: “The bar for being a ‘full-time grandchild’ is too high. How many people actually have grandparents whose pensions are enough to support themselves? My grandfather is a farmer; his monthly pension is only 100 yuan (US$14).”


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Jobless young adults become emotional, physical carers for elderly relatives, say role lets them see ‘real meaning of life’


Jobless young adults become emotional, physical carers for elderly relatives, say role lets them see ‘real meaning of life’.


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Fierce China job market turns unemployed youths into ‘full-time grandkids’

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Jobless young adults become emotional, physical carers for elderly relatives, say role lets them see ‘real meaning of life’

Jobless young adults become emotional, physical carers for elderly relatives, say role lets them see ‘real meaning of life’