{
  "id": 14584824,
  "title": "Young Chinese are choosing healthy relationships over toxic filial piety",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/young-chinese-are-choosing-healthy-relationships-over-toxic-filial-14584824",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-15T01:30:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
    "slug": "reuters-business-via-scmp",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3370667/young-chinese-are-choosing-healthy-relationships-over-toxic-filial-piety"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In recent years, an increasing number of young Chinese individuals are opting for healthier relationships over the traditional, toxic practice of filial piety. This shift in attitude is evident in the case of Zhang Jiaqi, an Olympic diving medallist whose mother, Xiao Yingjie, appeared on the reality show My Little One. Despite Xiao's constant belittlement and nitpicking, Zhang received widespread support from young viewers who were annoyed by her mother's behavior. Viewers criticized Xiao for telling Zhang to stop eating snacks and having cold drinks, as well as criticizing her messy room and troublesome cat. Zhang herself mentioned winning her first competition at just 10 years old and earning over 4,000 yuan (US$600) since then. However, her mother managed her earnings, bonuses, and commercial income, keeping Zhang in the dark about her finances. During the show, Zhang remained nonchalant when confronted with the letter from her mother, stating it was \"nonsense\" to her. While viewers debated Xiao and Zhang's relationship, the case struck a chord with many, reflecting a collective trauma experienced by an entire generation in East Asia, where Confucian ideals heavily influence parental expectations. Filial piety is ingrained in children from a young age, often leading to immense psychological pressure and labeling those who object as \"ungrateful,\" \"unfilial,\" or \"heartless.\" Zhang's story resonated with many because it mirrors similar experiences they have faced. Public opinion has shifted progressively, with young people today expressing the pain caused by controlling families more openly. In the past, a show like this would have garnered more support for the controlling parent, but now, people recognize toxic relationships and reject societal pressure to conform. A 2024 report from Fudan University found that young people's feelings towards their parents have changed over the past decade, viewing \"filial piety\" as gratitude and a willingness to contribute back to their parents, while still wanting to maintain their own identity and express themselves freely. Zhang's decision to cut ties with her mother and move away to another city was seen as a step towards independence and clarity of thought. It is refreshing to see young people embracing such healthy behavior, rather than accepting toxic relationships as the norm.",
  "summary": "As the Chinese saying goes, “Even an upright judge finds it hard to settle family matters.” Whenever Chinese TV channels air reality shows that centre on couples or parent-child relationships, controversy is guaranteed. Heated debates ensue over who is right and who is wrong. Viewers examine every facial expression in microscopic detail and overanalyse every word before arriving at their verdict.…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Young Chinese are choosing healthy relationships over toxic filial piety",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/young-chinese-are-choosing-healthy-relationships-over-toxic-filial",
        "published": "2026-10-15T01:30:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}