How China's ‘little emperors' went from monarchs to overwhelmed caregivers
Wendy Liu has grown to dread the sound of her phone.
These days, most calls mean a parent of the 47-year-old vocational school teacher has been rushed to the hospital. Whether her mother with Alzheimer's disease or her father with cancer, any emergency means a long, anxious drive from work to her home in Guangzhou – a stress-ridden trip she has made on countless nights.
Liu and her husband Deng Jie are members of China's first generation of only children. Born in 1977 – only a year after the country instituted a one-child limit for most urban households – they not only have to raise two children, but also care for four ageing parents. Last month's announcement of higher retirement ages and persistent levels of youth unemployment are adding to worries they will need to work longer than their parents did, all the while providing more financial support to their adult children.
The dilemma of balancing care for the elderly and the young is becoming more commonplace as this cohort enters middle age. This 'sandwich generation' is being overwhelmed with threefold pressures: a longer life expectancy for their elderly parents, extended dependency periods for their children, and hurdles in their own careers compounded by an economic downturn.
Raised without any siblings in the 1980s, China's first batch of only children were once jokingly called 'little emperors' for being the sole focus of their families.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
3 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Top marksman Warren remains on board with Airbus next season
Warren, the Cymru North Golden Boot winner last season, has agreed to remain on board for the Wingmakers, who are looking to improve on a runners-up finish to Colwyn Bay this time around. Warren, a summer addition from Mold Alex ahead of last season, told the club's website: 'Delighted to be staying for another season, it was a no brainer when Skip (manager Mark Allen) offered me another year. "We had a great season last year but ultimately, we didn't achieve our main aim. Hopefully we can keep everyone together and go one better this season!' In further good news for Airbus, centre back Nathan Williams is also remaining on board for a second season. Williams said: 'Very happy to be staying next year. I come in this time last year and it was a no-brainer to carry on again this year after the season we've just had winning three cups. "Hopefully we can do the same again this season but go one better in the league and win it, so I am excited about the season ahead with a great group!' Ryan Edwards has agreed to sign-up for his 10th season with the club. Edwards, just three short of 300 Airbus appearances, turned out in the league on 20 occasions last season and he was able to contribute six assists during a successful campaign.
CBC
3 minutes ago
- CBC
Missing 17-year-old girl last seen in Winnipeg's North End
Social Sharing A missing girl was last seen in Winnipeg's North End on Monday afternoon. Faith-Lynn Hope Fontaine, 17, was last seen around 4:15 p.m. at the corner of McGregor Street and St. Johns Avenue. Fontaine is described as five feet, nine inches tall, about 110 pounds with a thin build, blond hair and hazel eyes. Anyone with information is asked to contact the missing persons unit at 204-986-6250.
Daily Mail
3 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Warning over hair loss cream used by millions after doctors discover freaky side effect
Doctors have issued a warning about hair growth treatment minoxidil after a woman grew a beard. The 28-year-old reported using hair growth spray minoxidil to treat her hair loss caused by alopecia, suffered by 7million Americans that causes hair loss. Patients apply the medication, sold as a spray or foam, to the scalp and leave it in to absorb. However, the unnamed woman wore a wig during the day and cap at night, which causes the drug to be absorbed at much higher levels in her blood. It then traveled elsewhere in her body, causing uncontrollable hair growth in her face, arms and legs. Doctors say the 40million Americans who take the drug should be aware of the risks of wearing tight caps while taking it. Minoxidil, sold in the US under brand name Rogaine, is applied to the scalp to stimulate hair growth. It costs around $60 for a six-month supply. Doctors writing in as medical journal said: 'Exceeding this dose does not improve efficacy but significantly increases the risk of systemic absorption and adverse effects.' The FDA approved safe dose of the spray, which the woman used, is one milliter twice per day, or six sprays. While side effects are usually minor, such as scalp irritation or changes in hair texture or color, the drug has been linked to excess hair growth and loss. The woman in the case report was diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia, a form of hair loss caused by genetic predisposition or an imbalance of hormones like estrogen and androgens. Prior to treatment, the woman, from France, had a large bald spot on the top of her head. She had mild anemia and vitamin D, both of which can deprive hair follicles of oxygen and cause hair loss, but had no other health issues. Along with vitamin D and zinc supplements, she used five percent minoxidil spray twice a day for two months. She also had done three monthly sessions of LED therapy and plasma-rich plasma injections (PRP), which are meant to separate plasma from the blood and inject it back into the scalp. Plasma is rich in platelets, which have growth factors. After two months of minoxidil treatment, she returned to doctors with increased hair growth on her face, arms and legs. Doctors found wearing a wig during the day and a tight cap at night after applying minoxidil left the woman's scalp 'constantly occluded, day and night.' This means her scalp was constricted and hair follicles became blocked, leading the body to absorb higher amounts of minoxidil than if her hair follicles were still open. The doctors believe this lead to 'systemic absorption' of the drug and effectively a higher than safe dose. The experts wrote: 'Minoxidil is an effective treatment but can occasionally lead to hypertrichosis, especially when applied in high concentrations or over large areas of the body. 'This case illustrates the critical need for precise patient instruction on the correct application of topical therapies to prevent adverse systemic effects such as hypertrichosis.' The woman had laser hair removal on her face and stopped taking minoxidil. She continued with her other treatments.
