From Overseas Press

Debunking myths about China's youth culture

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-08-24 11:48

International and domestic media often "skew the portrayal of China's youth and miss the point" when they are trying to report on the population that "controls a growing portion of China's domestic economy and will in the coming years control China's industrial and economic agendas," said an article in Forbes on Aug 23.

The article suggested that people remember the following points to avoid being misleading.

First, not all Chinese youths are super rich. Some of them do "drive expensive Italian sports cars and buy luxury brands," but they only "make up a very tiny percentage of the whole group," said the article. "While the large majority of young Chinese have indeed experienced prosperity for much of their lives, the term ‘prosperity' takes on a different meaning for different Chinese youth." So when the media is saying that "Chinese youth have consumption power," it should be put into context.

Second, media "focus a lot on stories of angst or stories that cause panic or shock, primarily because that's what mostly constitutes ‘news'." But the truth is, most Chinese youths are happy or at least content. They do not experience excruciating pain. Many of them are "patiently living in the roles and position allotted to them. They accept and do not question their current path in life." Although many "indulge in some misdemeanors or escapes," they are not driven by negative impulses. But "a majority that is neither discontent nor excited is not compelling enough to be reported by the media."

Third, "most Chinese youths, while harboring many frustrations, do not naturally resolve to rebel when engaging their frustrations. Although they may have different values than their parents, teachers or an older generation, this does not mean Chinese youth will rebel." However, international media likes to "characterize Chinese youth as rebellious," from the perspective of their foreign values. This will generate a misunderstanding of Chinese youths.

Most important, "the idea of ‘mass' youth is no longer valid." It is incorrect to band Chinese youths together as "one glorious generation or group of people to stand up and make one common statement." The youths are experiencing "a rapid evolving sense of individuality and identity." Many are "following their own self-motivated direction to speak to the strength and reality of this generation's evolving individuality."

Media "will use one individual youth's story to represent the entire China youth generation. It makes for good sensation, but couldn't be further from the truth."