Empty nests a social issue

The "empty-nest" elderly have become an increasingly important social issue in China, especially as the population is aging rapidly. By the end of 2011, there were about 185 million people above the age of 60 in China. Almost half of them live independently, according to the third China Urban and Rural Elderly Demographic Situation Tracking Survey released on July 10. Care and support for the elderly is urgently needed nowadays, as many don't see their adult kids very often.

"Grown-up children are required to visit their parents regularly", was written into the draft amendment of the Law on Protection of the Rights and Interests of the Elderly, which was submitted to the top legislature in June.

However, in an online survey launched by Sohu, a major Chinese Web portal, only a little more than half of the respondents supported the idea of making "visiting parents regularly" a legal duty.