Reverse Parenting Trend in China Sees Kids Take Over Household Roles
In a growing number of Chinese households, the traditional roles of parent and child are being flipped — with young children now taking charge of daily responsibilities while their parents sit back and watch.
Known as reverse parenting, the trend has become a talking point on Chinese social media, where it has sparked both admiration and concern. Instead of being guided by their elders, these children are running the show — preparing meals, shopping for groceries, and even managing family vacations.
Yuanyuan, a primary school student from Liaoning province, has emerged as one of the most well-known faces of the movement. With a clip-on camera documenting his day-to-day life, he has amassed close to a million followers online.
His routine includes walking neighbours’ dogs in the morning to earn pocket money, calling his mother after school to get her dinner preferences, and bargaining with street vendors for ingredients before heading home. Once back, he whips up complex dishes like braised prawns and pork ribs — all while his mother relaxes in front of the television.
But the responsibilities don’t end in the kitchen. Some children are now managing travel plans for their families, acting as decision-makers in areas typically reserved for adults.
Social worker Zhang Jianyong told the South China Morning Post that the trend reveals a shift in how children are taught independence. “Parents showing a bit of weakness can inspire kids to take more responsibility and be more proactive,” he explained.
Still, not everyone is impressed. Critics argue that this reversal undermines parental authority and places undue pressure on children. “In this family, the kid is the responsible parent, and the parents are the ones acting like children,” one online commenter remarked.
Despite the controversy, the trend is gaining momentum. On Weibo, China’s largest social media platform, hashtags linked to reverse parenting have garnered over 230 million views, confirming its rise from a quirky anomaly to a mainstream cultural conversation.
By Tarziman — 13 May 2025, 02:47 PM
