{"content_id":"vykimrekae","slug":"full-time-children-family-support-and-independence","locale":"en","schema_type":"Article","category":"knowledge_base","category_name":"Knowledge Base","title":"Full-Time Children: Parental Support and Independence","summary":"The term \"full-time children\" refers to adult children who do housework or provide care and receive money for living expenses from their parents. Both the sustainability of family support and the children's freedom to choose need to be considered.","sponsorship_disclosure":null,"affiliate_disclosure":null,"commerce_disclosure":null,"author":{"name":"Injoys Editorial Team","url":"https://injoys.com/ko/about"},"key_points":["The term \"full-time children\" refers to adult children who do housework and provide care while receiving financial support from their parents.","Reports in China in 2023 described cases of people returning home amid a tough job market and burnout at work.","Living with parents, financial dependence and housework should be assessed separately.","The number of full-time children cannot be estimated from social media posts or individual cases alone.","For family support to continue, both the burden on parents and the children's freedom to choose their career paths need to be considered."],"content_markdown":"Full-time children are adult children who handle housework or caregiving and receive living expenses from their parents. The term alone is not enough to judge someone as lazy or as having failed to become independent. Both the family’s ability to sustain support and the adult child’s freedom to choose need to be considered.\n\nThe examples from China are discussed based on CNN’s July 2023 reporting and AP’s September reporting from the same year.\n\n## What full-time children means and how the term emerged\n\nFull-time children is a term that describes a role within the family as if it were a job. In exchange for financial support from their parents, they handle housework or provide companionship. Some receive a set amount of money, but the form of support varies by case.\n\nCNN reported on the spread of this term in China in 2023. Limited job opportunities and exhaustion from excessive work demands feature as contributing factors. The report also described people resting or preparing for their next career step while staying with their parents. [CNN report, published by KESQ](https://kesq.com/money/cnn-business-consumer/2023/07/27/young-chinese-are-getting-paid-to-be-full-time-children-as-jobs-become-harder-to-find/)\n\nWhat this report establishes is a set of examples and discussions from a particular period. Separate research is needed to determine how much the same lifestyle has grown in Korea. It is also difficult to group people living with their parents in different countries under the same label.\n\n## The difference between living with parents and being a full-time child\n\nLiving with one’s parents does not automatically make someone a full-time child. Living together describes a housing arrangement. Being a full-time child refers to both a role within the family and financial support.\n\n| Category | What it primarily describes | What needs to be checked separately |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Living with parents | Living in the same home as one’s parents | Personal income and contributions to living expenses |\n| Financial dependence | Relying on someone else for the money needed to live | Degree of dependence and duration of support |\n| Full-time child | A lifestyle involving housework or caregiving in exchange for parental support | Assigned tasks and conditions of support |\n| Family caregiving | Activities that help family members with daily life | Time spent caregiving and ability to combine it with other activities |\n| NEET | An indicator covering young people who are not in employment, formal education, or training | Age range surveyed and education and employment criteria |\n\nThe OECD’s NEET indicator is based on participation in education and employment. Whether someone lives with their parents is not part of its definition. Full-time children and NEETs therefore cannot be treated as the same group. Detailed definitions are available in the OECD’s explanation of the indicator. [OECD NEET indicator](https://www.oecd.org/en/data/indicators/youth-not-in-employment-education-or-training-neet.html)\n\n## How to distinguish housework from financial dependence\n\nReceiving money from family does not erase the value of housework. The ILO includes unpaid housework and caregiving for family members within the scope of work. Whether someone is employed and whether they perform work should be considered separately. This distinction can be found in the ILO’s report on care work. [ILO report on care work](https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/wcmsp5/groups/public/%40dgreports/%40dcomm/%40publ/documents/publication/wcms_633135.pdf)\n\nConversely, taking responsibility for housework does not eliminate financial dependence. Whether someone could sustain their living arrangements if parental support stopped is a separate question. The value of the role and the sustainability of the arrangement each need to be assessed.\n\nTo assess your family’s situation, write down the following items separately.\n\n- Assigned tasks: The actual scope of meal preparation, cleaning, grocery shopping, and family caregiving\n- Support provided: Cash for living expenses and in-kind support such as housing and food\n- Freedom to choose: Whether the division of housework or career plans can be renegotiated\n- Sustainability: Alternatives if support decreases or caregiving needs increase\n\n## Temporary support and long-term dependence by circumstance\n\nThe duration of support alone is not enough to judge the state of family relationships. AP’s 2023 report included someone preparing for exams. It also described someone who resumed their studies after living at their parents’ home. Returning home cannot be equated with permanently giving up on employment. [AP report on full-time children](https://apnews.com/article/aeddf9fd7c188db7d72dbb3cca6ebbf7)\n\nThe table below offers a framework to help families distinguish between situations. It is not an official classification system or risk assessment chart. It can be used to clarify the purpose of the current living arrangement.\n\n| Current situation | What the family should check | What to discuss together |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Preparing for a job search or studies | Time available for preparation and capacity to provide support | Adjusting the division of housework and preparation schedule |\n| Taking a break after leaving a job | Purpose of the break and resources to cover living expenses | When to reassess the situation |\n| Primarily responsible for family caregiving | Scope of caregiving and other family members’ contributions | Alternative care and time for oneself |\n| Purpose of support is unclear | Roles that parents and adult children expect | Clarifying support conditions and career discussions |\n| Parents’ capacity to provide support has declined | Spending and burdens across the whole family | Adjusting contributions to living expenses and forms of support |\n\nWith long-term support, it is important to check whether differing expectations are being left unaddressed. Parents may believe they are helping their child prepare for employment. The adult child may understand the money as living expenses provided in exchange for housework. In such cases, it is better to first reach a new agreement on what the money represents.\n\n## How to assess living expenses for the whole family\n\nThe cash an adult child receives is not enough to determine the family’s burden. Parents may also be paying separately for housing and food. Distinguishing cash support from shared living costs provides a clearer basis for discussion.\n\nAlso record the housework and caregiving the adult child handles. Leaving out their actual role creates a one-sided view of the support arrangement. However, there is no need to convert housework hours into money using an arbitrary hourly rate.\n\n| Item to record | What to check |\n| --- | --- |\n| Cash support | Money provided regularly and money provided as needed |\n| Shared living costs | Who pays for housing, food, and utilities |\n| Housework and caregiving | Assigned duties and time off |\n| Parents’ own living expenses | The living expenses parents still need to cover after providing support |\n| Changes to support | Conditions for reopening discussions if income falls or caregiving needs increase |\n\nParents’ ability to provide support should not be assumed to be unlimited. Nor should adult children be expected to perform unlimited housework. Recording both money and roles helps identify the burdens on each side.\n\n## Common misconceptions about full-time children\n\nA common misconception is that the label full-time child is enough to draw conclusions about a person’s situation. The reports reviewed show different life paths. The outcome of an individual case cannot be applied to all adult children.\n\n| Common interpretation | Facts that should be considered separately |\n| --- | --- |\n| Living with parents means failing to become independent | Housing arrangements and financial independence are separate matters |\n| Housework has no social value | Housework and caregiving also count as work |\n| All money received from parents serves the same purpose | Support for living expenses needs to be distinguished from expectations of compensation for a role |\n| Frequent appearances on social media mean the population has grown substantially | The number of posts and the actual population size are different indicators |\n| 1.5 million won per month is the usual payment | This amount is not supported by the reports reviewed |\n| Family support inevitably destroys relationships | The possibility of conflict needs to be distinguished from an inevitable outcome |\n\nDo not cite 1.5 million won per month as the average income of full-time children. No representative survey supporting this figure has been identified. To compare payment amounts, first check when the survey was conducted and whom it covered.\n\n## What parents and adult children should agree on\n\nWhen living together, it is helpful to clarify the conditions of support and each person’s freedom to choose. The sequence below is a suggestion for family discussions. It is not a set of obligations or a standard contract that applies to every family.\n\n1. Clarify the purpose of the current support. Identify whether it is for job-search preparation, rest, or family caregiving.\n2. Write down the money and roles involved. Record support for living expenses and the division of housework separately.\n3. Set aside personal time. Discuss time for job searching, studying, and resting together.\n4. Set a time to revisit support. Also write down the conditions for adjustments if income or caregiving circumstances change.\n5. Consider alternatives if support decreases. Discuss both contributions to living expenses and the division of caregiving.\n\nMoving out and becoming responsible for one’s own living expenses may happen at different times. Make plans for independence within what is currently manageable. Even while living with parents, adult children need room to make their own career decisions.","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eFull-time children are adult children who handle housework or caregiving and receive living expenses from their parents. The term alone is not enough to judge someone as lazy or as having failed to become independent. Both the family’s ability to sustain support and the adult child’s freedom to choose need to be considered.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe examples from China are discussed based on CNN’s July 2023 reporting and AP’s September reporting from the same year.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#what-full-time-children-means-and-how-the-term-emerged\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"what-full-time-children-means-and-how-the-term-emerged\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWhat full-time children means and how the term emerged\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFull-time children is a term that describes a role within the family as if it were a job. In exchange for financial support from their parents, they handle housework or provide companionship. Some receive a set amount of money, but the form of support varies by case.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCNN reported on the spread of this term in China in 2023. Limited job opportunities and exhaustion from excessive work demands feature as contributing factors. The report also described people resting or preparing for their next career step while staying with their parents. \u003ca href=\"https://kesq.com/money/cnn-business-consumer/2023/07/27/young-chinese-are-getting-paid-to-be-full-time-children-as-jobs-become-harder-to-find/\"\u003eCNN report, published by KESQ\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat this report establishes is a set of examples and discussions from a particular period. Separate research is needed to determine how much the same lifestyle has grown in Korea. It is also difficult to group people living with their parents in different countries under the same label.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#the-difference-between-living-with-parents-and-being-a-full-time-child\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"the-difference-between-living-with-parents-and-being-a-full-time-child\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eThe difference between living with parents and being a full-time child\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLiving with one’s parents does not automatically make someone a full-time child. Living together describes a housing arrangement. Being a full-time child refers to both a role within the family and financial support.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCategory\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat it primarily describes\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat needs to be checked separately\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eLiving with parents\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What it primarily describes\"\u003eLiving in the same home as one’s parents\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What needs to be checked separately\"\u003ePersonal income and contributions to living expenses\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eFinancial dependence\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What it primarily describes\"\u003eRelying on someone else for the money needed to live\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What needs to be checked separately\"\u003eDegree of dependence and duration of support\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eFull-time child\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What it primarily describes\"\u003eA lifestyle involving housework or caregiving in exchange for parental support\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What needs to be checked separately\"\u003eAssigned tasks and conditions of support\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eFamily caregiving\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What it primarily describes\"\u003eActivities that help family members with daily life\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What needs to be checked separately\"\u003eTime spent caregiving and ability to combine it with other activities\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eNEET\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What it primarily describes\"\u003eAn indicator covering young people who are not in employment, formal education, or training\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What needs to be checked separately\"\u003eAge range surveyed and education and employment criteria\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe OECD’s NEET indicator is based on participation in education and employment. Whether someone lives with their parents is not part of its definition. Full-time children and NEETs therefore cannot be treated as the same group. Detailed definitions are available in the OECD’s explanation of the indicator. \u003ca href=\"https://www.oecd.org/en/data/indicators/youth-not-in-employment-education-or-training-neet.html\"\u003eOECD NEET indicator\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#how-to-distinguish-housework-from-financial-dependence\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"how-to-distinguish-housework-from-financial-dependence\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eHow to distinguish housework from financial dependence\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReceiving money from family does not erase the value of housework. The ILO includes unpaid housework and caregiving for family members within the scope of work. Whether someone is employed and whether they perform work should be considered separately. This distinction can be found in the ILO’s report on care work. \u003ca href=\"https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/wcmsp5/groups/public/%40dgreports/%40dcomm/%40publ/documents/publication/wcms_633135.pdf\"\u003eILO report on care work\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConversely, taking responsibility for housework does not eliminate financial dependence. Whether someone could sustain their living arrangements if parental support stopped is a separate question. The value of the role and the sustainability of the arrangement each need to be assessed.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo assess your family’s situation, write down the following items separately.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAssigned tasks: The actual scope of meal preparation, cleaning, grocery shopping, and family caregiving\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupport provided: Cash for living expenses and in-kind support such as housing and food\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFreedom to choose: Whether the division of housework or career plans can be renegotiated\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSustainability: Alternatives if support decreases or caregiving needs increase\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#temporary-support-and-long-term-dependence-by-circumstance\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"temporary-support-and-long-term-dependence-by-circumstance\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eTemporary support and long-term dependence by circumstance\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe duration of support alone is not enough to judge the state of family relationships. AP’s 2023 report included someone preparing for exams. It also described someone who resumed their studies after living at their parents’ home. Returning home cannot be equated with permanently giving up on employment. \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/aeddf9fd7c188db7d72dbb3cca6ebbf7\"\u003eAP report on full-time children\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe table below offers a framework to help families distinguish between situations. It is not an official classification system or risk assessment chart. It can be used to clarify the purpose of the current living arrangement.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCurrent situation\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat the family should check\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat to discuss together\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Current situation\"\u003ePreparing for a job search or studies\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What the family should check\"\u003eTime available for preparation and capacity to provide support\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What to discuss together\"\u003eAdjusting the division of housework and preparation schedule\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Current situation\"\u003eTaking a break after leaving a job\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What the family should check\"\u003ePurpose of the break and resources to cover living expenses\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What to discuss together\"\u003eWhen to reassess the situation\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Current situation\"\u003ePrimarily responsible for family caregiving\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What the family should check\"\u003eScope of caregiving and other family members’ contributions\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What to discuss together\"\u003eAlternative care and time for oneself\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Current situation\"\u003ePurpose of support is unclear\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What the family should check\"\u003eRoles that parents and adult children expect\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What to discuss together\"\u003eClarifying support conditions and career discussions\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Current situation\"\u003eParents’ capacity to provide support has declined\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What the family should check\"\u003eSpending and burdens across the whole family\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What to discuss together\"\u003eAdjusting contributions to living expenses and forms of support\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith long-term support, it is important to check whether differing expectations are being left unaddressed. Parents may believe they are helping their child prepare for employment. The adult child may understand the money as living expenses provided in exchange for housework. In such cases, it is better to first reach a new agreement on what the money represents.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#how-to-assess-living-expenses-for-the-whole-family\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"how-to-assess-living-expenses-for-the-whole-family\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eHow to assess living expenses for the whole family\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cash an adult child receives is not enough to determine the family’s burden. Parents may also be paying separately for housing and food. Distinguishing cash support from shared living costs provides a clearer basis for discussion.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso record the housework and caregiving the adult child handles. Leaving out their actual role creates a one-sided view of the support arrangement. However, there is no need to convert housework hours into money using an arbitrary hourly rate.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eItem to record\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat to check\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Item to record\"\u003eCash support\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What to check\"\u003eMoney provided regularly and money provided as needed\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Item to record\"\u003eShared living costs\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What to check\"\u003eWho pays for housing, food, and utilities\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Item to record\"\u003eHousework and caregiving\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What to check\"\u003eAssigned duties and time off\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Item to record\"\u003eParents’ own living expenses\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What to check\"\u003eThe living expenses parents still need to cover after providing support\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Item to record\"\u003eChanges to support\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"What to check\"\u003eConditions for reopening discussions if income falls or caregiving needs increase\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParents’ ability to provide support should not be assumed to be unlimited. Nor should adult children be expected to perform unlimited housework. Recording both money and roles helps identify the burdens on each side.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#common-misconceptions-about-full-time-children\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"common-misconceptions-about-full-time-children\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eCommon misconceptions about full-time children\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA common misconception is that the label full-time child is enough to draw conclusions about a person’s situation. The reports reviewed show different life paths. The outcome of an individual case cannot be applied to all adult children.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCommon interpretation\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFacts that should be considered separately\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Common interpretation\"\u003eLiving with parents means failing to become independent\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Facts that should be considered separately\"\u003eHousing arrangements and financial independence are separate matters\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Common interpretation\"\u003eHousework has no social value\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Facts that should be considered separately\"\u003eHousework and caregiving also count as work\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Common interpretation\"\u003eAll money received from parents serves the same purpose\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Facts that should be considered separately\"\u003eSupport for living expenses needs to be distinguished from expectations of compensation for a role\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Common interpretation\"\u003eFrequent appearances on social media mean the population has grown substantially\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Facts that should be considered separately\"\u003eThe number of posts and the actual population size are different indicators\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Common interpretation\"\u003e1.5 million won per month is the usual payment\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Facts that should be considered separately\"\u003eThis amount is not supported by the reports reviewed\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Common interpretation\"\u003eFamily support inevitably destroys relationships\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Facts that should be considered separately\"\u003eThe possibility of conflict needs to be distinguished from an inevitable outcome\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDo not cite 1.5 million won per month as the average income of full-time children. No representative survey supporting this figure has been identified. To compare payment amounts, first check when the survey was conducted and whom it covered.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#what-parents-and-adult-children-should-agree-on\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"what-parents-and-adult-children-should-agree-on\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eWhat parents and adult children should agree on\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen living together, it is helpful to clarify the conditions of support and each person’s freedom to choose. The sequence below is a suggestion for family discussions. It is not a set of obligations or a standard contract that applies to every family.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClarify the purpose of the current support. Identify whether it is for job-search preparation, rest, or family caregiving.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWrite down the money and roles involved. Record support for living expenses and the division of housework separately.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet aside personal time. Discuss time for job searching, studying, and resting together.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet a time to revisit support. Also write down the conditions for adjustments if income or caregiving circumstances change.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConsider alternatives if support decreases. Discuss both contributions to living expenses and the division of caregiving.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoving out and becoming responsible for one’s own living expenses may happen at different times. Make plans for independence within what is currently manageable. Even while living with parents, adult children need room to make their own career decisions.\u003c/p\u003e\n","tags":["Labor Market","Housing costs","Decision Making"],"faqs":[{"question":"What does “full-time child” mean?","answer":"It refers to an adult child who handles housework or family caregiving while receiving financial support, such as living expenses, from their parents. Specific roles and forms of support vary by family."},{"question":"When did the term “full-time child” attract attention?","answer":"The term appears in 2023 reports by CNN and AP on youth employment in China. These reports alone cannot establish when the term was first coined."},{"question":"Is everyone who lives with their parents a full-time child?","answer":"Living with one's parents alone does not make someone a full-time child. Their own income, contributions to living expenses, and roles within the family must be examined separately."},{"question":"Does “full-time child” mean the same thing as NEET?","answer":"They do not mean the same thing. The OECD's NEET indicator is based on participation in employment, formal education, or training. Whether someone lives with their parents is not a criterion in that definition."},{"question":"Do full-time children usually receive 1,500,000 won per month?","answer":"No evidence was found to support treating 1,500,000 won per month as a typical payment. Amounts from individual cases should not be cited as though they represent the average income of the entire group."},{"question":"Does housework for one's family count as work?","answer":"The ILO includes unpaid housework and caregiving for one's family within the scope of work. However, doing work must be distinguished from being classified as employed."},{"question":"Is the number of full-time children also increasing in Korea?","answer":"The reports on China reviewed in this article cannot establish whether the number is increasing in Korea. A time-series study in Korea using the same definition is needed to determine the scale of any increase."},{"question":"Does receiving support from your parents necessarily mean losing autonomy?","answer":"Financial support alone does not establish a loss of autonomy. Check whether you can negotiate the conditions of support. You should also consider whether you have room to make your own decisions about your career and personal life."},{"question":"What should be decided first when continuing family support?","answer":"First, agree on the purpose of the support. It is best to record living expenses and household responsibilities separately. Also agree on when to revisit the conditions of support."}],"sources":[{"url":"https://kesq.com/money/cnn-business-consumer/2023/07/27/young-chinese-are-getting-paid-to-be-full-time-children-as-jobs-become-harder-to-find/","title":"CNN·KESQ, Young Chinese are getting paid to be ‘full-time children’ as jobs become harder to find, July 2023","type":"source"},{"url":"https://apnews.com/article/aeddf9fd7c188db7d72dbb3cca6ebbf7","title":"AP, China's 'full-time children' move back in with parents, take on chores as good jobs grow scarce, September 13, 2023","type":"source"},{"url":"https://www.oecd.org/en/data/indicators/youth-not-in-employment-education-or-training-neet.html","title":"OECD, Youth not in employment, education or training (NEET)","type":"source"},{"url":"https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/wcmsp5/groups/public/%40dgreports/%40dcomm/%40publ/documents/publication/wcms_633135.pdf","title":"ILO, Care work and care jobs for the future of decent work","type":"source"}],"images":[{"id":2814,"url":"https://injoys.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NDI5NzgsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--db3775fbc9e078a80aecb115b9d9d70b7597d940/ai-93e5a452.webp","is_representative":true,"generation_method":"ai_photo","license":"ai_generated","mime_type":"image/webp","width":1536,"height":1024,"translations":{"ko":{"alt":"초록색 스웨터를 입은 여성이 소파에서 침대 시트를 개며 옆에 앉은 노년 남성과 이야기하고 있다.","caption":"가사노동에 기여하는 것과 경제적으로 독립하는 것은 구분해 판단해야 합니다.","description":null},"en":{"alt":"A woman in a green sweater folds a bedsheet on a sofa while talking with an older man.","caption":"Contributing to housework and being financially independent should be assessed separately.","description":null},"ja":{"alt":"緑のセーターを着た女性がソファでシーツを畳みながら、隣の高齢男性と話している。","caption":"家事への貢献と経済的な自立は分けて考える必要があります。","description":null},"es":{"alt":"Una mujer con un suéter verde dobla una sábana en el sofá mientras habla con un hombre mayor.","caption":"Contribuir a las tareas domésticas y tener independencia económica deben evaluarse por separado.","description":null},"id":{"alt":"Perempuan bersweter hijau melipat seprai di sofa sambil berbicara dengan seorang pria lanjut usia.","caption":"Kontribusi dalam pekerjaan rumah tangga dan kemandirian finansial perlu dinilai secara terpisah.","description":null},"pt":{"alt":"Uma mulher de suéter verde dobra um lençol no sofá enquanto conversa com um homem idoso.","caption":"A contribuição nas tarefas domésticas e a independência financeira devem ser avaliadas separadamente.","description":null},"zh-hant":{"alt":"一名穿綠色毛衣的女子坐在沙發上摺床單，並與旁邊的年長男子交談。","caption":"分擔家務與經濟獨立應分開判斷。","description":null},"de":{"alt":"Eine Frau im grünen Pullover faltet auf dem Sofa ein Bettlaken und spricht mit einem älteren Mann.","caption":"Die Beteiligung an der Hausarbeit und finanzielle Unabhängigkeit müssen getrennt beurteilt werden.","description":null}}},{"id":2815,"url":"https://injoys.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NDI5ODUsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--9222121ea225f7f8966a07de073daa35a988e135/ai-589c627a.webp","is_representative":false,"generation_method":"ai_semi","license":"ai_generated","mime_type":"image/webp","width":1536,"height":1024,"translations":{"ko":{"alt":"성인 아들이 식탁에서 교재를 보며 공부하고, 아버지는 옆에서 요리하며 의자에는 앞치마가 걸려 있다.","caption":"가족 지원을 지속하려면 부모의 부담과 자녀의 진로 선택권을 함께 살펴야 합니다.","description":null},"en":{"alt":"An adult son studies at the kitchen table while his father cooks, with an apron hanging on a chair.","caption":"Sustaining family support requires considering both parents’ burden and adult children’s freedom to choose their career path.","description":null},"ja":{"alt":"成人した息子が食卓で教材を開いて勉強し、そばで父親が料理をしている。椅子にはエプロンが掛かっている。","caption":"家族の支援を続けるには、親の負担と子どもの進路を選ぶ自由をともに考える必要があります。","description":null},"es":{"alt":"Un hijo adulto estudia en la mesa mientras su padre cocina; un delantal cuelga de una silla.","caption":"Mantener el apoyo familiar exige considerar tanto la carga de los padres como la libertad de los hijos para elegir su rumbo profesional.","description":null},"id":{"alt":"Anak dewasa belajar di meja makan sementara ayahnya memasak; celemek tergantung di kursi.","caption":"Keberlanjutan dukungan keluarga perlu mempertimbangkan beban orang tua dan kebebasan anak memilih jalur karier.","description":null},"pt":{"alt":"Um filho adulto estuda à mesa enquanto o pai cozinha; um avental está pendurado numa cadeira.","caption":"Manter o apoio familiar exige considerar tanto a sobrecarga dos pais quanto a liberdade dos filhos de escolher seu rumo profissional.","description":null},"zh-hant":{"alt":"成年兒子在餐桌前翻閱課本學習，父親在旁下廚，椅背上掛著圍裙。","caption":"要讓家庭支持持續下去，須兼顧父母的負擔與子女選擇職涯的自由。","description":null},"de":{"alt":"Ein erwachsener Sohn lernt am Küchentisch, während sein Vater kocht; eine Schürze hängt am Stuhl.","caption":"Dauerhafte familiäre Unterstützung erfordert, die Belastung der Eltern und die freie Berufswahl der Kinder gleichermaßen zu berücksichtigen.","description":null}}}],"published_at":"2026-11-13T15:04:36+09:00","updated_at":"2026-11-13T15:04:36+09:00","license":"cc_by","translation_status":"reviewed","available_locales":["ko","en","ja","es"],"data_locales":["ko","en","ja","es","id","pt","zh-hant","de"],"url":"https://injoys.com/en/articles/full-time-children-family-support-and-independence"}