Choosing 'Survival at Home' Over Employment: "Mom, Just Tell Me What to Do"

A combination of job shortages, housing difficulties, and high inflation is reportedly leading to an increase in unmarried adults living as so-called "full-time children."

"Full-time children" refers to adult children who, instead of engaging in economic activities, live with their parents and take on household chores and caregiving responsibilities.

It is essentially the concept of a stay-at-home spouse applied to children.

On social media, there are numerous videos documenting the daily lives of full-time children ranging from their late 20s to their 40s.

Analysts suggest that this social phenomenon has emerged as structural issues, such as high housing costs and inflation, overlap with an era of low growth where employment stagnation is concentrated among the youth.

In fact, according to the "May Employment Trends" released by the National Data Agency, the number of employed young people last month decreased by 255,000 compared to the same month last year.

Public opinion on full-time children is divided.

While some express empathy, saying, "The worries of young people embedded in this bitter term weigh heavily on me," others raise concerns, noting that it is "a job that ends when the employer—the parents—falls ill or retires."

(Source: YouTube, Article Source: Segye Ilbo)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.