Economist Podcasts Drum Tower: Competing for kids
Jan 30, 2024
Explore the emotional toll of China's economic boom on migrant families as parents leave children behind for work. Discover a new policy in Zhejiang that allows these families to reunite and enjoy better educational opportunities in cities like Yiwu. Hear personal stories illustrating the struggles of left-behind kids and the broader societal impacts. Delve into the competition among cities to attract families amid declining birth rates, and investigate how educational reforms are reshaping lives and futures in diverse communities.
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Last Train Home Documentary
- In the documentary "Last Train Home", children express the emotional impact of parental migration.
- One girl admits to being accustomed to her parents' absence, highlighting the strained relationships caused by economic migration.
Vulnerability of Left-Behind Children
- Left-behind children in China face significant vulnerabilities, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.
- A Beijing NGO's surveys reveal alarming statistics about the severity of these issues.
Ms. Tang's Story
- David Rennie interviewed Ms. Tang, a grandmother in Yiwu, whose children were left behind.
- Ms. Tang's story reflects the changing expectations surrounding family and childcare in China.
