“认干亲养老”爆火：年轻人找靠山，老年人买陪伴？

Core Viewpoint - The rise of "non-blood kinship" relationships in an aging society reflects a mismatch in emotional supply and demand, where lonely elderly individuals seek companionship and young people look for emotional support and resource sharing [1][12][15] Group 1: Social Dynamics - The phenomenon of "non-blood kinship" is emerging as a new survival strategy among urban youth, with many young people expressing a desire for emotional connection and support [12][13] - Posts on social media reveal a growing trend of young individuals seeking elderly "foster parents" for companionship and financial support, often citing personal backgrounds of loneliness or family breakdown [2][5][10] - The concept of "contractual kinship" is gaining acceptance among both young people and elderly individuals, as it provides a solution to the emotional and practical challenges posed by an aging society [15][24] Group 2: Aging Population Statistics - As of now, the population aged 60 and above in China has reached 297 million, accounting for over 21% of the total population, indicating a significant demographic shift towards an aging society [15] - The proportion of empty-nest elderly individuals has surpassed 50%, with some urban areas reporting rates as high as 70%, highlighting the challenges faced by over 100 million elderly people living alone [15][24] Group 3: Emotional and Financial Exchange - The arrangement of "non-blood kinship" often involves a mutual exchange where young people provide companionship in return for financial support or housing, creating a win-win situation [23][24] - Some elderly individuals are willing to offer financial incentives or property in exchange for emotional companionship, reflecting a growing trend of commodifying emotional relationships [24][27] Group 4: Risks and Legal Concerns - There are increasing reports of scams and exploitation within these relationships, where some young individuals may take advantage of the elderly for financial gain, leading to legal disputes [25][27] - The lack of legal recognition for these "non-blood kinship" relationships poses significant challenges for conflict resolution and protection against exploitation [25][27]