Recently, Professor Liang Yong’an from Fudan University stirred up controversy during a roundtable conference on job hunting held in Shanghai. He advocated for young people with conditions to rely on their parents for support for a few years, suggesting that through this support, they could explore, travel, and get to know the world and its differences. Liang’s speech sparked a heated debate online, with netizens criticizing him as an “expert in shifting social conflicts.”
According to Liang Yong’an, “relying on parents” means that young people who are trying to find their own path in life should not rush into finding a job after graduating from university. Instead, parents should provide them with some money to travel and experience the world before settling down, as the experience will be completely different. He also mentioned that this kind of interest-seeking “relying on parents” is akin to a gap year, not a way to get something for nothing.
Liang’s speech has caused significant controversy. Some netizens pointed out, “He is an expert in diverting social conflicts. This approach is called ‘conflict staying at home.’ The fact that young graduates cannot find jobs is a social issue, and he cleverly turns ‘relying on parents’ into a family problem.”
Many other netizens expressed concerns, saying, “In reality, many people may not be able to stop relying on their parents after just a few years. They might end up relying on them for thirty years. Once someone gets used to a comfortable and stress-free life in their youth, they become addicted to it.”
Others commented, “It sounds great in theory, but in reality, after lying low for a few years, you may find that without a recent graduate status and the job hunting ease of being on a campus, it becomes even harder to find a job. At least that seems to be the case now.” “Looking at the experience in Japan, children who rely on their parents full-time often end up in bad situations. Some start relying on their parents at the age of forty, and by the time they are in their fifties, with the elder family members passing away, their source of income gradually diminishes. They have no work experience and various psychological issues. How will they survive?” “This professor should first reach an agreement with hiring institutions regarding recent graduates not entering the workforce for a few years without affecting recruitment!”
One comment highlighted the immense pressure on local employment opportunities by stating, “The experts are being forced to come out and say such things due to the significant employment pressure in local areas.”
In recent years, China’s youth unemployment rate has been continuously soaring. According to a survey released in May by the Zhaopin Recruitment platform titled “2024 University Employment Capability Survey Report,” only 48% of graduates had received informal employment notices by mid-April, indicating a worse situation than the previous year.
The Chinese authorities recently issued 24 opinions claiming to “promote high-quality and full employment” to facilitate the employment of university graduates, demobilized soldiers, rural labor forces, and disadvantaged individuals. However, China problem expert Wang He believes that the country’s economy is currently experiencing a severe decline with widespread unemployment. This new directive is merely a slogan attempt, aiming to maintain stability as the Communist Party celebrates its 75th anniversary in power.