With the labor force shifting from rural areas to the second and third industries in the cities, a lot of farmers have gone to the cities to make a living, with their children being left behind in the countryside, as they can't afford their children's education and medical expenses in the cities. Besides, current household registration management system prevents the children from living with their parents.

 

 

It is estimated that there are 20 million such children in China, who need urgent care and attention. These children are in the key period of both physical development and character forming, thus it might be disastrous for them to live without the guidance and care from their parents. For example, the school performances of many such children are rather poor, and they don't understand the importance of knowledge to their future.

 

Furthermore, most of these "left behind" children are from relatively poor families. That is to say, they have to face both economic and psychological pressures by themselves.

 

"Left behind children syndrome" has become a new mental disease among them, which has even driven some of them to commit crimes.

 

(Chinanews.cn December 30, 2006)