As China moves away from a rural economy, a large number of
farmers across the country migrate into the cities in search of
work -- often leaving their children under the care of relatives in
their home villages.
These children, left with grandparents or other relatives, have
been found to have a "worrying physical and mental status" compared
to children who live with their parents, according to a recent
survey by the Chongqing branch of the Revolutionary Committee of
the Chinese Kuomintang, a Chinese democratic party.
Lack of parental presence has a negative impact on the
children's academics, character and personality, according to the
survey, and the committee recommended that a mechanism be set up to
take care of the "single kids."
At an elementary school in Chongqing, which was picked up as a
sample, surveyors found 668 students of total 1,525 did not live
with their parents.
Among the children, 375 live with their grandparents and the
remaining live with other relatives.
Teachers said that they found the kids were unsociable,
depressed, unfocused and reluctant to participate in other
activities at school.
Li Qingfeng, researcher with Higher Education Institute of the
Beijing Polytechnical University, said that migrant farmers have
"unconsciously sacrificed their kids for making money in cities."
The migrant workers need to play a major role in solving the
problem.
According to Li, a variety of elements were necessary to help
the "single kids," such as boarding schools, qualified guardians
and community-based care service.
Li also suggested that one of parents live with their kids and
contact them periodically if they had to stay apart.
(Xinhua News Agency February 14, 2005)