China Will Pay You to Move In With Ma & Pa
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Think living with your parents is weird? China begs to differ. In fact, according to new guidelines, you might actually benefit from having 'rents for roomies.
The new plan, unveiled by the national government this past November, provides housing subsidies and tax cuts to individuals who choose to live with their parents long-term as a way of mitigating the impacts of an aging population.
Based on data collected by China's seventh census last year, more than 30 percent of the country's population will be over the age of 65 by 2033. What better way to sort the issue of elder care than encouraging their adult children to live with them?
Should adults take care of their aging parents instead of sending them to nursing homes?
While all's well and fine in the eyes of the government, the new move has led to heated debate among Beijingers, with some finding it strange that adults over the age of 30 would want to live under the same roof as their parents.
"Wow! It seems like young people can finally live off their parents' money without shame!" said one netizen. But others didn't find it so embarrasing, with another netizen remarking, "I don't have a problem living with my parents. It'll save me some money and I get to spend more quality time with them."
Is it better to save some money before you move out of your parents' place?
Despite mixed reactions to the plan, the family still plays a significant role in Chinese society. For instance, in Chinese culture, it is not that uncommon for adults to live with their parents until they get married, the general expectation being that parents will help with milestones like buying a car or holding a wedding.
Thus, many Beijingers aren't keen to cut ties with their parents just yet. "I want to find a job that's close to my parents so that I can spend more time with them," one netizen wrote. But some Beijingers who value freedom see things a little differently. "The biggest issue is a lack of privacy when it comes to living with your parents. I have to monitor my parents' schedule for a free night, and this can make casual hangouts with friends near impossible," another netizen said.
Others are worried about not having a big enough house to accommodate everyone. "I am just concerned that if I live with my family, I might not have enough money to get a house big enough to fit so many people," another netizen commented.
The 2020 census revealed that about 65.5 percent of elderly Chinese are currently living alone or with spouses. Over the past 20 years, the proportion of adults living with their parents has been declining slowly, from 64 percent in 2002 to 53 percent in 2018. This is due to a growing desire to move out before marriage, often to pursue lives and jobs in other cities, away from parents.
Taking care of the elderly is part of the Chinese culture.
Yet, while the netizen divide on the matter is vast, with some of the more incredulous voices saying it's humiliating to rely on their parents after reaching a certain age, others are calling the plan heartwarming. "There is nothing more important than spending quality time with family."
What do you think about this new policy of encouraging adults to live with their parents? Let us know in the comments!
READ: Four Tips to Aovid Apartment Rental Nightmare in Beijing
Images: Weibo
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