Recent years have seen the emergence of a new generation of Chinese young adults labeled the "stay-at-home children," a term for unemployed young people who live with their parents and do housework, which provides them with a means to earn their parents' financial support. On Douban, an interest-based social networking platform, 3,291 "stay-at-home youngsters" have come together to form an online community, where they can share their experiences of managing household affairs.

This phenomenon has drawn mixed reactions, with some accusing these youngsters of living idly, and others interpreting the practice as a freely chosen lifestyle and a dignified job that deserves the same respect as other occupations.

In fact, everyone's story is different when it comes to becoming a "stay-at-home child." Some young adults are preparing for postgraduate entrance or civil service exams, while others simply hope to take a year or two off work to pursue personal growth or have more quality family time.

Although China's rapid economic growth has afforded some youths the means to choose not to work, policymakers and researchers should delve deeper into the larger social forces at play to better understand today's young adults.