A Study from the Perspective of Chinese Traditional Culture, Social Medicine, and the Healthy China Strategy: The Imperative Revival of Chinese Shoulder-Carrying Culture - A Solution to China’s Dilemma of Aging Load-Bearing Laborers
Authors: Huabin Chen 
Published: August 2023

[Objective] China is currently facing critical social issues such as an aging population, the loss of Chinese agricultural workers and urban load-bearing laborers, the prevalence of lumbar spondylosis among the youth, and other serious crises. To comprehend and address these problems, an investigation of the facts and historical context is necessary. This study explores ancient and contemporary perspectives, spanning a timeline of 5000 years. Additionally, it employs social medicine for the first time to examine the correlation between social factors and health. The objective is to analyze the contemporary social issues in China and propose the latest personal views and solutions.

[Methods] Over a span of six years, the author conducted a study on “Chinese shoulder-carrying culture and the formation of the traditional spine” from the standpoint of social medicine. The findings revealed that “Chinese shoulder-carrying culture can strengthen the body and prevent lumbar spondylosis.” Subsequently, the author applied the “biology-psychology-social medicine” model to address China’s current social problems. This involved comparing different generations horizontally and vertically, employing methods such as historical review, on-site investigation, logical analysis, observation, literature review, interviews, comparisons, and dialectics. The author also examined the perspectives of Chinese scholars and experts regarding “the aging of Chinese agricultural workers and urban load-bearing laborers” and analyzed the social factors contributing to this issue, along with potential countermeasures. The recent surge in social problems is closely related to the disappearance of Chinese shoulder-carrying culture, indicating a causal relationship.

[Results] Prior to 1980, Chinese society strongly embraced shoulder-carrying culture. However, after 1980, the influence of this culture diminished. Consequently, the first-generation Chinese migrant workers developed shoulder-carrying skills and engaged in load-bearing work, both in urban and rural areas. In contrast, the second-generation Chinese migrant workers born after 1980 (referred to as the new-generation migrant workers) gradually moved away from agricultural activities. Physical examinations reveal that elderly individuals who have been accustomed to shoulder-carrying possess distinct body structures, particularly in their spines, which contribute to significantly better physical health compared to modern individuals who do not engage in shoulder-carrying. Over the past 40 years, none of the descendants of the Chinese population have actively embraced practical shoulder-carrying exercises and weight training, leading to the inevitable emergence of the “elderly agriculture” phenomenon with distinct Chinese characteristics in recent times.

[Conclusion] Hence, it is imperative for China to foster the next generation of agricultural workers and urban load-bearing laborers. Modern science should reassess the significance of Chinese shoulder-carrying culture and its impact on the traditional spine. Moreover, it is crucial to correct the public’s misconception regarding “Chinese shoulder-carrying culture and the traditional spine” and acknowledge the fundamental distinction between labor and sports, as well as the importance of spinal stability. China should undertake appropriate measures to revive the traditional practice of shoulder-carrying work, with the aim of cultivating young successors capable of shouldering heavy loads and engaging in physically demanding work. This approach will not only strengthen their bodies and prevent lumbar spondylosis but also alleviate mental disorders, contributing to a healthier China. Restoring the traditional shoulder-carrying culture is of utmost significance for the survival and profound rejuvenation of our Chinese nation, as it addresses a range of critical social issues. Consequently, it becomes essential to innovate in both theory and practice to effectively integrate “shoulder-carrying labor” into the daily lives of people, emphasizing the importance of rural and urban community development in the new era and labor education within schools.