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Since the family planning policy was implemented almost three decades ago, Shanghai has seen 1.4 million only children step into their 20s.

Higher education and closer relationships with parents are some of the special features of this generation that differ from Chinese children from big families, said experts.

But at the same time, they are found to be picky in jobs, lonely, and under higher pressure to care for their elderly parents.

Related reading:  History of China's family planning policy   Only child basks in mother's love   Mothers worry about one-child's unique problems

"In families with one child, the money spent on raising the child is comparatively higher than the average expenditure per child in families with more than one.Thus, this generation are given more chances to have better education and more care from parents," said Professor Gui Shixun, a renowned population expert at East China Normal University.

The advantage of being the only child in the family, combined with the fast economic development has produced a generation that has probably the highest education level in China's history, said experts.

This opinion is supported by a recent survey conducted by the Shanghai Population and Family Planning Commission.

Among 4,800 local only children over 18 years old who were interviewed,more than half had finished college. Only 11.49 per cent had middle school or less education.

Meanwhile, they expressed very high expectations for jobs. Around 67 per cent of the individuals interviewed said they could not find desired jobs; more than 20 per cent said they currently could not find jobs at all; another 12 per cent said they could find expected jobs but don't want to work.

"Holding high expectation for jobs,and refusing to take hard or low-paid work are common problems among the only child. Part of the cause is the improper family training," Gui said.

Gui explained some parents and grandparents have pampered and spoiled the only child, or "little emperors," which weakens their competitiveness in the job market and their ability to adapt to society.

In Shanghai, there is an increasing number of jobless young people in their 20s who refused to work and have to be supported by their parents.

Even though researchers have not reached agreement on the link between the only-child structure and one's character,the top problem only children complained of was loneliness.

"I would have two children if possible,because my experience shows that the only child is too lonely. Without a brother or sister, I can't find somebody to pour out my troubles or feelings," said 27-year-old Fan Limin.

The commission's survey found that more than half the only children interviewed said they wanted to have two children.

A more intimate relationship with their parents is another feature with the only- hild generation, as more than 60 per cent of married individuals interviewed by the commission said they plan to live with and care for their parents when they get old - a very traditional way to show their filial piety.

Influenced by the traditional family structure that several generations live under the same roof, most people could not accept the concept of having old parents living in old people's homes.

"My parents took care of their parents,how could I send my parents out of my home in the future? It's like abandoning them," said Wang Xi, a local woman in her 20s.

Besides the tradition, sociologists say that the only-child family structure has generated much closer and more intimate relationships between children andparents. Meanwhile, the children realize that they would be the only one to shoulder the responsibility of caring for old parents.

However, sociologists say that supporting the elderly could be very tough for the only-child couple, who have four parents to care for. "They have benefited from the family planning policy (for better education and life), but in return, they must spend more energy and money in caring for parents," said Gui.

Twenty-eight-year-old accountant Chen Li has already felt the pressure. Chen is married and working in South China, but her parents stay in their hometown of East China's Jiangsu Province.

Last month, her mother was sent to the hospital emergency room. As the only child, Chen had to fly to Jiangsu and stay beside her mother's bed despite her tight
work schedule.

"How I wished there would be a sister or brother to lend me a hand," said Chen.

As the social welfare facilities provide limited care for the elderly, many only children have to take care of their parents on their own.

"An ideal option is that parents live in the same neighourhood, or whose apartments are within half an hour from the children's," said Shou Lili, an expert in ageing. "It's convenient for children to care and also enables old people to keep their lifestyle."