SIC- perhaps the 'hardship posting' is for the kids. Refer to your posting on the 2 hour trip to school, something of a contradiction to your assertion above.
The hardship for parents is still there- shoebox apartments, kids seeing their grandparents twice a year, filthy air, expensive western supermarket products, communication difficulties. Unless you get off on these sort of things, its still a hardship posting- just different hardships nowadays.
Cx & Ka used to assist with these hurdles. Cheers.