China: Old School Thought vs.

the New Kids on the Block

All for one mentality vs. one for all
o Filial Piety Duties (modern take)
Measures such as having to in act laws
Education gap/ cultural gap
Generational divide (rift between values)
o Materialism (old communism ideals)
Virtuous values fade in the face of reality
Spoiled young
TRANSITION: Wealth & Success is synonymous with the West/America
o Non-foreign vs. Westernization
Communist era mentality
Opened up after cultural revolution: effects
Imbalance; trying to grasp identity in between
Reference Links:
http://www.aeonmagazine.com/living-together/james-palmer-chinese-youth/
http://www.china.org.cn/china/reform-opening-up/2008-12/19/content_16978369_2.htm
http://thinkingchinese.com/70hou-80hou-90hou-the-enhanced-chinese-generation-gap
http://www3.algorithm.cs.sunysb.edu/whoisbigger/person.php?searchName=Fuerdai&search_ty
pe=other
http://www.citized.info/pdf/ejournal/Vol%202%20Number%202/022.pdf







Regardless of what period in history you look back to a
generational gap is always present. The youth is always inclined
to believe that they are different from the generation before it
and that that generations old fashioned ideals are impractical
with modern society. This is especially true with the Chinese
youth today, as China jumps into this century as an economic
powerhouse, it brings a clash between centurys old Chinese
traditions and western influenced individualism.
One long standing moral obligation in China is filial
piety, the act of complete obedience and respect to your elders.
It is a core principle in Confucius teachings and has been a
sacred law until now. Soon after Maos death, China underwent
radical economic reform and the communist party shifted the
national focus from the Maoist class struggle to economic
reconstruction (Cheung, Pan) as well as education which would
further the countrys growth. However an unwanted result was the
deterioration of the family unit.
As the focus moved away from growing a proper family and in
to growing a country, the importance placed on filial piety
slowly began to fade away. The new education studied by the
young taught filtered socialist values about regulated
individualism (Cheung, Pan) unlike the collectivist ideology
their parents were brought up by. The media praises those who
exemplify the Confucian ideals and label those who dont
dishonorable. But in the youths perspective it is an attempt by
the past generations to combat their liberation. They may
respect them but no longer feel obligated to be the puppets of
their parents.
The divergence in mentality between generations occurred
after the 90s when individualistic thought strengthened, and by
the new millennia China evolved into a pseudo capitalist
society. That singular mentality gave birth to the Fuerdai
class, the young ber rich elite who reaped the benefits of
their parents newfound wealth. Their priorities mainly dealt
with acquiring money and social status. However many deny
accusations of vapid materialism and instead state succumbing to
societal pressures to succeed and the hardships they have faced.
Despite whatever the current youth have had to face there
is no denying that their sheltered existence is a far cry from
those who preceded them. Those born during the turbulent times
of the Cultural Revolution have been left disoriented in a
culture they no longer recognize and look to this recent age
group as spoiled brats who dont understand the meaning of hard
work. They condemn the current social landscape and paint the
term consumerism in disdain.
Part of the scorn for consumerism lies within the old
communist teachings under Maos reign. Decades of being
bombarded with anti-west propaganda hasnt faded easily and the
sudden admittance into globalization was not a smooth transition
for most. The anti-west and particularly anti- American
sentiments have not entirely subsided. Being told that
everything theyve been taught was incorrect has been a hard
pill to swallow.
On the other hand their children have readily accepted it
and adapted parts of western culture into their own. Learning
English is now a priority as well as dawning western fashion
brands. American movies are screened and songs are played on
air-ways. One major difference globalization has brought on is
anti-communist sentiments. With the internet many Chinese have
been able to express themselves and their beliefs. They have a
new type of unrestrained freedom and no longer have to confine
their protests to their thoughts. Rather than rejecting
everything foreign there is more acceptance much unlike the
previous era their parents lived in.
Drastic changes in the political landscape over the past
several decades have created a generational divide within China.
The contrast between the mentality and general living conditions
between the two eras is astounding. Chinas economic success has
created two different worlds with the young basking in its new
found glory and the older population still caught in history.