Empty-Nest Youth

China Youth Daily April 12

There has been an increase in the number of so-called “empty-nest youth,” or young people who live alone, in China in recent years.

A survey of 2,000 Internet users conducted by China Youth Daily found that lack of emotional support and bad living conditions are the two biggest problems affecting empty-nest youth, mostly new migrants in large cities. In addition, many of them are financially stretched, live in narrow social circles, lack recreational activities and have limited social mobility.

The term “empty-nest” was originally applied to elderly people living alone after their children had grown up and moved away.

In fact, empty-nest youth is common worldwide. It’s the result of urbanization and an inevitable stage for young people to go through before getting married.

Empty-nest youth should learn to adjust themselves to reality rather than complain. For instance, they can try to fill their lives with interesting activities such as running, mountain climbing or watching films. They can also work hard to improve their professional skills in order to gain promotions and pay rises.

In the meantime, the concerns of this group of people also deserve the attention of society. For instance, questions such as whether startups experience fair competition and whether they are covered by social security should be carefully looked into in order to provide a better social environment for young entrepreneurs.