The Urban Fear of Returning Home: Understanding the Roots of "Fear of Going Home" Phenomenon
As the Spring Festival approaches, a time traditionally associated with joy and family reunions, many individuals experience a sense of reluctance to return home. Just as historical figures like Yang Bolao feared the demands of landlords, today's workforce grapples with unique modern challenges that deter them from celebrating this festive season with their families. A significant concern arises from the chaos of the Spring Festival travel rush, coupled with familial pressures such as marriage expectations.
Reasons Behind the Fear of Returning Home
Recent surveys highlight an array of reasons why people, particularly urban dwellers, choose to stay away from their hometowns during the New Year. The reasons primarily include:
- Work Commitments: Many individuals are required to work during the holiday period.
- Travel Difficulties: The struggle to secure tickets amidst the overwhelming Spring Festival travel crowd discourages many.
- Financial Constraints: Some worry they cannot afford to offer gifts or "red envelopes" to parents, contributing to their reluctance.
- Social Exhaustion: The thought of visiting relatives and attending endless meals can feel overwhelming.
- Marriage Pressure: Unmarried individuals often dread being pressured about their relationship status.
- Parenthood Pressure: Those who are married fear being asked when they will have children.
Survey Findings and Insights
To further understand this phenomenon, a survey conducted in Xiamen, targeting non-local workers (individuals not born in Xiamen but currently working there), revealed striking statistics. Among the 240 participants:
- Gender Distribution: 45.96% female and 54.04% male.
- Marital Status: 31.49% are married, while 68.51% are unmarried.
- Income Levels: 9.79% earn over 5000 yuan monthly, whereas 38.30% earn between 2000 yuan and 3000 yuan, the largest segment.
- Age Breakdown: Participants under 20 years make up 24.26%, while those aged 40 and above account for 23.41%.
The Prevalence of "Fear of Going Home"
According to sociologists, individuals displaying specific concerns can be classified as belonging to the "fear of going home" demographic. Common anxieties include:
- Apprehension about securing travel tickets.
- Fear of probing questions regarding their job status and financial situation.
- Concerns about familial pressure regarding marriage and children.
- Anxiety over witnessing the aging of relatives and potential notifications of deaths in the family.
A notable finding from the survey indicates that only 20.86% of respondents reported having no such worries at all, implying that approximately 80% of participants potentially belong to this "fear of going home" group.
Contradictory Insights: Returning Home
Despite the prevalence of these anxieties, it is worth noting that approximately 45.96% of respondents indicate they return home every year. Meanwhile, 16.60% mentioned not having gone home for two years, 9.79% for three years, and a noteworthy 27.66% have not returned home for over three years.
In conclusion, the blend of societal expectations, economic concerns, and travel obstacles significantly contributes to the reluctance of urban residents to partake in family celebrations during the Spring Festival. Understanding these feelings can provide insights into a growing societal issue, highlighting the need for awareness and potential solutions.