Post-80s

The Post-80s (also the Post-1980, Chinese: 八零后; pinyin: bālínghòu) is a colloquial term which refers to the generation whose members were born between 1980 to 1989 in Mainland China after the introduction of the One-child policy.

Etymology

In English, this group is also sometimes called China's Generation Y after the use of the term in the book China’s Generation Y by Michael Stanat in 2005.^[1]

The term Post-80s is only used in Mainland China and other Chinese speaking communities.^{[citation needed]}
People born in other periods are also named in the same way in Mainland China.

The Post-90s (九零后) means people born between the years 1990 to 1999 in urban areas. They are usually concerted to brain-disabled characters and non-mainstream culture. The early part of this generation, at least, is often classed as a part of China's Generation Y along with 80s-born.

The Pre-60s (六零前) means people born before the year 1960.

It is a generation of approximately 240 million people born between 1980 and 1990, although characteristics of the after-eighty generation have also been seen in those born in the 1990s. Growing up in modern China, this generation has been characterized by its optimism for the future, newfound excitement for consumerism, entrepreneurship, and acceptance of its historic role in transforming modern China into an economic superpower.

These people are also distinguished by their increased access to digital media such as computers, MP3 players and mobile phones. Post-80s in China often experience a palpable generation gap between them and their elders; while their parents lived during the Mao Zedong era, experienced famine and political instability and lack proper education because of the policies set forth under the Cultural Revolution, they live in an environment of tremendous economic growth and social change, high technology, and rigorous education standards.

A clash between tradition and modern influences is noticeable in purchasing habits, career pursuits, and daily interaction between child and elders. Furthermore, young adults have been indirectly affected by forced government shutdowns of thousands of Internet bars each year that prevent the excessive use of the Internet. Young people are also affected by China's large socioeconomic divide between urban and rural residents and societal problems resulting from modernization.

They were the overwhelming majority of participants in protests against the West and in asserting their Chinese identity during the 1999 Embassy Bombing Incident, 2001 Hainan Incident and 2005 Anti-Japanese protests.

Future

The Post-80s illuminates important questions not only about China’s future but also those of the United States and the global economy. Several factors that may influence the generation are individualism, consumerism, modernization, and technology.

Little emperors

Some parents over-indulge their only child.^{[fact or opinion?]} The media^[who?] referred to the indulged children in one-child families as "little emperors." Since the 1990s, some people^[who?] worry this will result in a higher tendency toward poor social communication and cooperation skills among the new generation, as they have no siblings at home. Having grown up in times of modern consumerism and popular media rather than the ideals of the cultural revolution they are inclined to spend large amounts of money on themselves and thus a cornerstone of retail sales.^[2] However, no social studies have investigated the ratio of these over-indulged children and to what extent they are indulged. With the first generation of one-child policy children (those born in the 1980s) reaching adulthood, such worries are reduced.

Dispute

Some post-70s people^[who?] think that the post-80s are depraved. However, with more and more post-80s devoting in the society, we^[who?] can see more worthies among them are reported by the media.^{[by whom?]} Especially after the Wenchuan earthquake happened in 2008, post-80s volunteers who went to disaster area to help impressed many people^[who?] and many people^[who?] began to change their attitudes about the post-80s.

Post-80s in Hong Kong

Post-80s in Hong Kong and the after-eighty generation in mainland China are for the most part different.^[3] The term Post-80s (八十後) came into use in Hong Kong between 2009 and 2010, particularly during the course of the opposition to the Guangzhou-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, during which a group of young activists came to the forefront of the Hong Kong political scene.^[4] They are said to be "post-materialist" in outlook, and they are particularly vocal in issues such as urban development, culture and heritage, and political reform. Their campaigns include the fight for the preservation of Lee Tung Street, the Star Ferry Pier and the Queen's Pier, Choi Yuen Tsuen Village, real political reform (on June 23), and a citizen-oriented Kowloon West Art district. Their discourse mainly develops around themes such as anti-colonialism, sustainable development, and democracy.

References

^ Stanat, Michael (2005). China’s Generation Y: Understanding the Future Leaders of the World’s Next Superpower. New York City: Paramus: Homa & Sekey. SIS International Research. ISBN 1-931907-25-0.
^ NHK World, Japan 7 Days, Matter of Fact: "Cause for Celebration" aired February 20, 2010.
^ Post 80s rebels with a cause, The Standard, Coleen Lee, 15 Jan 2010, Accessed 20 Jun 2010
^ Kwong wing-yuen (ed.), Zhan zai dan de yi bian, Xianggang bashihou, Hong Kong, UP Publications Limited, 2010, pp. 16-32.

[1] Stanat, Michael (2005). China’s Generation Y: Understanding the Future Leaders of the World’s Next Superpower. New York City: Paramus: Homa & Sekey. SIS International Research. ISBN 1-931907-25-0.

[2] NHK World, Japan 7 Days, Matter of Fact: "Cause for Celebration" aired February 20, 2010.

[3] Post 80s rebels with a cause, The Standard, Coleen Lee, 15 Jan 2010, Accessed 20 Jun 2010

[4] Kwong wing-yuen (ed.), Zhan zai dan de yi bian, Xianggang bashihou, Hong Kong, UP Publications Limited, 2010, pp. 16-32.

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