Parent-visiting services offered in wake of law_美文

Parent-visiting services offered in wake of law

"My parents were very happy to be accompanied by you. Your service is considerate and I will buy it next time," said a comment left on a Xi'an-based online shop by a customer with the username "sunmenga7".

However, few have signed up for the service, which has received mixed reactions from the public.

Wang Chunyuan, 19, from a Shanghai university, said she wouldn't hire someone to visit her parents.

"I will see my parents by myself. The affection between family members can't be bought," said Wang, adding she would worry about her parents' safety if they were visited by strangers.

But Mu Guowei, a 26-year-old from Henan province who works in the real estate industry, said he would consider such a service because he is busy with work and only goes home once a year.

Sixty-year-old Beijing resident Gao Fengling said she would accept the service as senior people are lonely and need someone to chat with.

Experts disapproved of such services, saying it is ridiculous to have strangers visit parents.

Yuan Xin, an expert on aging population studies at Nankai University, said: "Money can't buy love and care between family members. Hiring someone else to visit parents goes against traditional Chinese culture and is too commercial."

He added it might hurt the feelings of parents. "I think elderly people could be visited by volunteers organized by non-profit organizations, according to experience from foreign countries. Besides, the community should play a part in looking after senior people."