Why do many Chinese parents tend to regard their children as the main support for the second half of their lives? Behind this, there are not only family issues but also social structural problems. In many cases, responsibilities that should be borne by social systems—such as pension security, a sense of financial safety, and personal development opportunities—have long been shifted to the family, which in turn passes this pressure onto the children. As a result, concepts like “raising children to prevent old age” and “sacrificing everything for the children” are continuously reinforced, gradually becoming an almost unquestioned moral obligation. At the same time, many parents are more willing to accept this narrative rather than reflect on it. Because once they believe that “society is inherently like this,” “everyone has gone through this,” or that “filial piety is a moral duty,” it not only makes their life choices seem reasonable but also provides legitimacy for controlling and expecting from their children. Therefore, many demands are packaged as love and responsibility, such as “I do all this for your good,” “I’ve sacrificed so much for you,” or “You should be filial to your parents.” On the surface, it’s about family love, but often it can also become emotional pressure or even emotional coercion. From this perspective, treating children as life pillars is not only a family choice but also a relationship shaped collectively by social structures, cultural beliefs, and practical interests: society shirks its responsibilities, parents gain moral legitimacy, and the ones who truly bear the pressure and expectations are often the next generation.