China ‘child growth companions’ in demand, help with homework, plan fun activities, earn up to US$8,300 a month
- Distinguish themselves from live-in maids or family tutors, assist children in leading fulfilling lives, instill correct values
- Companions are often highly educated with impressive resume
As Chinese children face increasing pressure for academic and social success, a profession called “child growth companions” is burgeoning in metropolises nationwide.
Besides tutoring children in academic subjects and helping with homework, the companions are also expected to organise extracurricular activities, take them to after-school classes and even help them prepare for events like talent shows and painting competitions, according to the Shanghai Morning Post.
The job can pay as much as 60,000 yuan per month (US$8,300), and the high expectations mean 90 per cent of companions hold at least a bachelor’s degree, according to a woman the newspaper identified as Shura, who previously worked as a child growth companion and now as an agent helping connect families to workers.
Shura graduated from a top university in Shanghai, majoring in international relations.
Two years before graduating, she worked part-time as a child growth companion for a businesswoman who was too busy to supervise her kindergarten son’s education.
The mother asked Shura to live at her home, tutor her son in English and accompany him as he attended numerous extracurricular activities.