In this materialistic society, a new model of family relations is quietly emerging, which is like a weed, growing wildly in the soil of the modern family, which is the phenomenon of "new gnawing the old". This is no ordinary gnawing old, it is more hidden, more complex, and bears the mark of the times. This phenomenon is no longer confined to the homeless, but is prevalent among young people with jobs and incomes.
They use their parents' pensions to buy real estate, and rely on their parents' support to reduce the pressure on their lives. What is even more puzzling is that these young people are not ashamed, but proud, and their parents are happy to do it, even proud of their children's dependence among relatives and friends. Behind this phenomenon, what kind of social changes and family values are at work?
First of all, we need to look at the source of this phenomenon from a social perspective. The rapid development of society has brought about an increase in material living standards, but it has also been accompanied by soaring housing prices, an increase in the cost of living, and a multiplication of work pressure. Young people face cutthroat social competition and find themselves often struggling to cover their growing living expenses with their salaries. As a result, they had to turn to their parents for help, hoping to relieve the pressure through their parents' financial assistance. However, this kind of behavior can easily become a dependency, or even a habit, and long-term dependence can weaken their ability to adapt to difficulties.
At the household level, the impact of the one-child policy has been particularly far-reaching. In such a family structure, parents are often willing to make all sacrifices for their children, including unconditional financial support. They hope that their children can live a better life, and are even willing to sacrifice their pensions to fund their children's big things such as buying a house and getting married. In this family atmosphere, children's dependence on their parents has become a matter of course, and the acceptance of parents has further exacerbated the phenomenon of "new gnawing on the old".
The reasons at the individual level cannot be ignored either. Some young people grow up in a materially rich environment and lack the ability to be independent and have the awareness to take on family responsibilities. They are accustomed to being arranged and spoiled by their parents, and are not prepared for independent living. Even if they have a certain income after working, they still want to maintain a relaxed and comfortable lifestyle, and they are reluctant to take on the responsibilities of adults. They see their work and income as "filial piety" to their parents, ignoring that true filial piety is to make parents carefree, not to burden them.
The harm of the "new type of gnawing on the old" is not limited to the family economy;It also affects the mental health of two generations. Parents may feel stressed and unable to prepare for their retirement, while children may lack the ability to stand on their own feet and face difficulties in building their own families in the future.
To alleviate this problem, society needs to take a multifaceted approach. First, we must promote the concepts of financial independence and responsibility among the younger generation. The education system and social ** should emphasize the importance of self-reliance and the consequences of over-reliance. Second, parents should be encouraged to set boundaries to prepare for their own retirement rather than sacrificing everything for their children. Finally, policies can be implemented to reduce the financial burden on young adults, such as housing subsidies or tax incentives, to promote independence.
In conclusion, the phenomenon of "new gnawing on the elderly" is a complex issue that reflects current social and family dynamics. Addressing it requires not only individual awareness and behavioural change, but also a concerted effort by families, educators, and policymakers to foster a culture of independence and mutual respect across generations.
To deal with this phenomenon, we also need to start with deeper cultural values. The traditional concept of filial piety may need to be adjusted in due course to adapt to the development of modern society. Filial piety should not be a simple financial support, but also should cultivate the spirit of independence and self-determination, so that parents can enjoy their old age in peace.
Communities and social organizations also have a role to play by providing psychological support and educational programmes to help young people develop the right values and life planning skills. At the same time, provide parents with resources to teach them how to protect their retirement while helping their children.
At the policy level, more measures should be introduced to support young people's self-reliance, such as vocational training, increased employment opportunities, and better social protection systems. These measures can reduce young people's dependence on their parents' finances, and at the same time encourage them to take on more social responsibilities and promote the harmonious development of society as a whole.
In addition, public communication should also take responsibility for shaping positive social customs. By reporting the stories of independent, motivated young people, we can inspire more young people to follow their role models and strive to become contributing citizens to society.
The phenomenon of "new gnawing on the elderly" is a multi-dimensional problem, involving multiple levels such as economy, culture, education and policy. It is only through the joint efforts of the whole society that we can gradually solve this problem and build a healthier and more harmonious intergenerational relationship. In this way, we can ensure that every family can meet the challenges of the future together with mutual respect and support.