In the bustling city of Shenzhen, known for its thriving tech industry, Marguerite Wang had envisioned a future filled with hard work and career growth.
However, the reality for many young Chinese professionals like her is quite different. Currently, more than one in five young Chinese individuals find themselves unemployed, their dreams of a successful career temporarily put on hold due to a sluggish job market.
The Chinese economy, still grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, is struggling to regain its momentum.
Wang, who was unfortunately laid off from a gaming company in December, is one of approximately 16 million young Chinese who have been compelled to return to their hometowns, seeking solace and support from their families.
The arduous task of finding a decent job has left many feeling disheartened and disillusioned, prompting them to seek refuge in the familiar surroundings of their childhood homes.
Wang, concerned about the potential repercussions of speaking to foreign media, has requested the use of her English nickname to safeguard her future job prospects.
After experiencing six months of fruitless job applications in Shenzhen, the 29-year-old individual was compelled to take a decision that she had never thought of before – requesting to move back home.
The realization of this decision was not an easy one, as it involved acknowledging the fact that her attempts to establish a career in the city were unsuccessful.
However, with a sense of resilience and determination, she has now dedicated her time to studying Japanese and watching soap operas, with the ultimate goal of applying for a master’s program in Japan.
This decision marks a significant shift in her life’s trajectory, as she has now embarked on a new journey that she hopes will lead to a successful career and a fulfilling life.
Such a decision requires a considerable amount of courage, as it entails leaving behind one’s comfort zone and embracing the unknown with open arms.
Nonetheless, the individual’s unwavering spirit and determination to succeed are commendable, and it is hoped that her efforts will bear fruit in due course.
The phenomenon of adult children returning to their parents’ homes is not exclusive to China, as many Chinese individuals live in extended family households.
However, the current job market conditions in China have presented significant challenges for young people, resulting in a surge of young adults seeking refuge with their parents.
The urban unemployment rate for individuals aged 16 to 24 reached an unprecedented high of 21.3% in June.
Disturbingly, the government ceased publishing age-specific data in July, leading to speculation that the politically sensitive figures might indicate an even more substantial increase in unemployment.
If we were to include “full-time adult children” in the unemployment statistics, the jobless rate would surpass the official rate of nearly 20% recorded in March, as suggested by Zhang Dandan, an economics professor at Peking University, in an op-ed published in the esteemed Chinese business magazine, Caixin, in July.
Zhang’s assertion regarding the unemployment crisis appears to provide a more precise evaluation of the situation.
Although she declined an interview request from AP, her article, which shed light on the issue, was initially shared on one of Peking University’s WeChat accounts.
However, it was subsequently removed, suggesting a potential reluctance to openly discuss the matter. This incident raises questions about the extent to which the unemployment crisis is acknowledged and addressed, and highlights the need for further examination and dialogue surrounding this pressing issue.
By exploring the underlying factors contributing to unemployment and engaging in open and transparent discussions, policymakers and stakeholders can work towards implementing effective measures to tackle this crisis and mitigate its adverse effects on individuals, families, and society as a whole.
ANXIETY, DISAPPOINTMENT AND CONFUSION
The job drought presents a delicate challenge for the ruling Communist Party, as it grapples with a sluggish post-pandemic economic recovery compounded by a downturn in the property market.
In the months of April to June, the economy experienced a growth rate of 6.3% compared to the same period the previous year, when parts of China were subjected to strict COVID-19 lockdown measures.
However, exports have been declining as major economies around the world slow down. While China’s official urban unemployment rate stands at 5.3%, it is the younger population that has been disproportionately affected.
In an effort to tighten control, Beijing has implemented crackdowns on industries such as high tech and education, which traditionally employ young college graduates. This has resulted in widespread layoffs and business closures within these sectors.
On the other hand, industries such as agriculture and construction are grappling with a shortage of workers, as most college graduates aspire to secure less physically demanding white-collar positions.
Research conducted by online recruitment firm Zhilian Zhaopin revealed that a quarter of this year’s graduates expressed a desire to work in the technology sector.
However, the issue lies in the fact that the available job opportunities are often of low quality. Xiang Biao, the head of the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology in Germany, highlights the challenges faced by the only child in a family who has received education and grown up during a period of abundance.
For them, it becomes exceedingly difficult to accept such job prospects.
The availability of good jobs has long been a cornerstone of the social contract between the ruling party and the young population in China, as it reaffirms the Communist Party’s claim that the country’s strong economy demonstrates the superiority of its political model over Western democracies.
However, the scarcity of decent job opportunities undermines this assertion. While there is no evidence of significant political unrest directly linked to the unemployment problem, protests against the government’s stringent “zero-COVID” policies emerged across the country late last year.
These protests marked the most direct challenge to the Communist Party in over three decades. An official report in November acknowledged the growing “anxiety, disappointment, and confusion” among college students, which could potentially erode confidence in China’s economic future.
CHANGING EXPECTATIONS
In a society where the concept of “eating bitterness” has long been ingrained in the cultural fabric, a new phenomenon has emerged.
Referred to as “full-time adult children,” these individuals are choosing to take advantage of the wealth accumulated by their parents rather than diving headfirst into the job market amidst a period of drought.
Instead, they opt to use this time to rest, recharge, and prepare for exams that will pave the way for relatively stable government positions or postgraduate studies.
This trend not only highlights a shift in the priorities of these young adults but also reflects a changing attitude among parents.
Traditionally, parents would push their children to succeed financially and socially, but increasingly, they are placing a greater emphasis on their emotional well-being.
This shift in perspective becomes especially apparent when parents witness their children grappling with practical difficulties.
Mu Zheng, an assistant professor of sociology at the esteemed National University of Singapore, sheds light on this evolving dynamic, suggesting that the value placed on emotional well-being is gaining prominence in today’s society.
In the wake of sustained economic growth, many parents have achieved a level of financial security that enables them to provide increased support to their adult children.
This newfound stability has allowed individuals like Gui Xiaoru to make choices that prioritize their long-term goals over immediate financial gain.
Gui, for instance, declined a teaching position in a small town after graduation, opting instead to return to her hometown of Mianyang in China’s Sichuan province to prepare for a civil service exam.
While studying, she takes on domestic responsibilities such as cooking and grocery shopping, and in return, receives a monthly allowance of 2,000 yuan (approximately $274) from her family.
Although Gui recognizes the temporary nature of this arrangement, she views it as a normal phenomenon that cannot be sustained indefinitely.
The trend of “full-time adult children” is gaining traction, with many individuals documenting their lives and household chores on social media platforms.
Some assume clearly defined roles within the family, such as cleaning, cooking, and running errands, in exchange for fixed monthly allowances.
Wang Sinian, a 21-year-old who recently completed her studies at a Canadian university, exemplifies this trend.
After returning to her parents’ home in Bole, a city in China’s Xinjiang region, she shared her daily duties on the social media platform Xiaohongshu.
Through her posts, she chronicled her tasks, including scrubbing the kitchen, mopping floors, ironing clothes, and running errands, all in exchange for pocket money.
However, for many individuals who return home, these arrangements are temporary in nature. Wang Sinian, for instance, left her parents’ home in July to pursue a master’s degree in Canada.
Similarly, Marguerite Wang, a former employee of a gaming company, spends most of her time keeping her parents company in exchange for pocket money.
She appreciates the slower pace of life and the opportunity for introspection that this arrangement provides.
Wang expresses a desire to avoid returning to a work situation where her personal life is compromised and her energy is solely devoted to her job, without a clear understanding of what she is truly working towards.
In summary, the ability of parents to provide increased support to their adult children is a result of the financial security attained through sustained economic growth.
This has allowed individuals like Gui Xiaoru, Wang Sinian, and Marguerite Wang to prioritize their personal and professional goals while fulfilling domestic responsibilities.
While these arrangements may be temporary, they reflect a growing trend of “full-time adult children” who document their lives and duties on social media.
As individuals seek a better work-life balance and a clearer sense of purpose, this phenomenon highlights the evolving dynamics within modern families and the changing expectations of adult children.