Vincent's parents 'never say he's good enough' so he turned to a couple online
9 hours ago
- #generational trauma
- #Chinese youth
- #virtual parents
- Vincent Zhang, a tech worker in Shanghai, finds comfort in 'virtual parents' online due to his own parents' critical nature.
- Online couple Pan Huqian and Zhang Xiuping have gained nearly 2 million followers on Douyin by offering emotional support to young Chinese.
- Many young Chinese feel pressured by family expectations and economic challenges, leading to burnout and strained relationships.
- Virtual parents resonate with those who experience 'tough love' from real parents, often feeling misunderstood or unfairly criticized.
- The phenomenon reflects a broader generational reckoning with parenting styles in China, including memes like 'gourd soup literature'.
- Despite awareness of the commercial aspect, Vincent and others value the virtual parental figures for providing warmth and relief from social pressures.