“全职儿女”：是孝道，还是新型啃老？

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the emergence of the "full-time children" phenomenon among youth facing employment difficulties, analyzing its characteristics, types, and underlying causes, while also exploring potential governance strategies to address this issue [2][3]. Group 1: Definition and Types of "Full-Time Children" - The term "full-time children" refers to young individuals who live with their parents and provide household services in exchange for economic support, distinguishing them from the "NEET" (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) group [9]. - The article categorizes "full-time children" into two types: short-term transitional and relatively stable. The former includes mainly young individuals who are temporarily living at home while seeking employment, while the latter consists of middle-aged individuals who have left the workforce to care for elderly parents [10][11]. Group 2: Characteristics of "Full-Time Children" - The majority of "full-time children" are young women, often facing significant employment challenges and high economic dependency on their families. Approximately 80% of them hold a bachelor's degree or higher [15][16]. - The relatively stable "full-time children" tend to have more life experience and may have left the workforce due to health issues or family caregiving responsibilities, often feeling both useful and ashamed of their situation [19][20]. Group 3: Social Causes of the "Full-Time Children" Phenomenon - The phenomenon is linked to broader economic trends, including a slowdown in economic growth and high youth unemployment rates, which have led many young people to become "full-time children" as a coping mechanism [27][28]. - Structural issues such as mismatches between education and job market demands contribute to the challenges faced by young job seekers, leading to a rise in the "full-time children" demographic [29][30]. Group 4: Governance Strategies for "Full-Time Children" - For short-term transitional "full-time children," governance strategies should focus on enhancing employment opportunities through economic stimulation and educational reforms to better align with market needs [38][39]. - For relatively stable "full-time children," strategies should include recognizing the value of caregiving roles, providing training and financial support, and improving the quality of elder care services to alleviate the burden on families [46][47].