China burly ‘outsourced children’ offer companionship, protection to nursing home clients
Martial arts trained muscle men with a heart build ‘bonds’ with China’s growing army of elderly ‘empty nesters’
A new profession called “Outsourced Children” has emerged in China, where strong men are hired to accompany elderly people in nursing homes, providing companionship and even serving as a deterrent against potentially abusive carers.
The trend went viral after one such “outsourced son” from Dalian, Liaoning province in northeastern China, gained widespread attention on social media for forming a “bodyguard team”.
The team, made up of muscular men dressed in black and often carrying gifts, frequently visits nursing homes and hospitals, sparking public interest.
The core service provided by these “outsourced children” is emotional support coupled with a visible deterrent.
They accompany elderly clients to hospital, help with grocery shopping, chat to cheer them up and even mediate neighbourhood disputes if necessary.
Their physical presence serves as a deterrent against ill-intentioned carers, providing seniors with a sense of safety.
In just three months, the team has grown from nine to more than 1,000 and continues to expand, with a preference for recruiting veterans and legal professionals.
