看护 (kānhù) is deeply tied to the Chinese cultural value of 孝顺 (xiàoshùn) - filial piety. Traditionally, the responsibility of caring for aging parents falls squarely on their children. The act of a son or daughter personally performing 看护 for a sick parent is seen as a fundamental expression of respect and love. In Western cultures, placing an elderly parent in a professional nursing home is often seen as a practical choice made for their well-being. In China, while this is becoming more common due to modern life pressures, there can still be a lingering social stigma. The ideal remains for family to provide care. This creates a nuanced situation. When a family hires a professional 看护 (kānhù), often called a 护工 (hùgōng), it's frequently to assist the family members who are also present, rather than to completely replace them. The hired caregiver might handle the more physically demanding tasks, allowing the son or daughter to provide emotional support and fulfill their filial duty of being present. The term, therefore, exists in this space between familial duty and modern necessity.
看护 (kānhù) is used in both formal and informal contexts, but it always implies a serious level of responsibility.
The term is most common in situations involving illness, post-surgery recovery, the elderly, or very young children who require constant supervision.