The Round Table podcast episode discusses "Ren Gan Qin Yang Lao," a Chinese social media trend involving young people forming supportive, non-biological kinship relationships with older adults for companionship and care, potentially in exchange for financial support or assets. The hosts explore its similarities to Western concepts like godparenting and the "it takes a village" mentality, while also addressing the risks of scams, exploitation, and unmet expectations, especially when these relationships originate online. They delve into the reasons behind this trend, such as the aging population, the rise of empty-nest elderly, and the lack of adequate state support for elderly care, and debate whether formal contracts or increased volunteerism could offer better solutions.
