As China moves away from a rural economy, a large number of farmers across the country migrate into the cities in search of work -- often leaving their children under the care of relatives in their home villages.

These children, left with grandparents or other relatives, have been found to have a "worrying physical and mental status" compared to children who live with their parents, according to a recent survey by the Chongqing branch of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, a Chinese democratic party.

Lack of parental presence has a negative impact on the children's academics, character and personality, according to the survey, and the committee recommended that a mechanism be set up to take care of the "single kids."

At an elementary school in Chongqing, which was picked up as a sample, surveyors found 668 students of total 1,525 did not live with their parents.

Among the children, 375 live with their grandparents and the remaining live with other relatives.

Teachers said that they found the kids were unsociable, depressed, unfocused and reluctant to participate in other activities at school.

Li Qingfeng, researcher with Higher Education Institute of the Beijing Polytechnical University, said that migrant farmers have "unconsciously sacrificed their kids for making money in cities." The migrant workers need to play a major role in solving the problem.

According to Li, a variety of elements were necessary to help the "single kids," such as boarding schools, qualified guardians and community-based care service.

Li also suggested that one of parents live with their kids and contact them periodically if they had to stay apart.

(Xinhua News Agency February 14, 2005)