Observations: Generations

Before I begin my new post, I want to add to my last post on teachers. I had a chance to once again discuss this matter with some of the teachers, and one of them was confident that things will change in the next few years. The reason? “There are much less children.” The one child and planned parenthood policies are still in effect, although not STRINGENTLY enforced. Many have two children.

Alright, more observations, this time on the gap across generations. It has been said that the generation in university right now is known as the “young emperors.” They are often only children (one-child) and are catered to by their families. Remember, these folks often move in with the husband’s family. So many times they have parents, grandparents, and sometimes great-grandparents to dote on them.

We have one class that is full of students, ranging from Junior Middle School to university. They are aggressive and sometimes controlling. This is much the opposite from the other classes which have adults. The gap does not stop there.

Japan.

A bit of a history lesson. The Japanese and the Chinese don’t get along. Maybe it stems from the fact that during World War II, the Japanese occupied China. The rape of Nanking, anyone? It was brutal. Even since I’ve been here, I’ve seen the prejudice against the Japanese. Mike often uses the Japanese as examples in lectures in order to push this idea. The older generations do not like the Japanese, especially in the north, Manchuria, where the Japanese occupied the longest.

The younger generation does not care. Last fall, I read an article in National Geographic about the northern provinces of China. The unemployment up there is very high, maybe 15%. However, the Japanese are moving businesses into the area. Many of the younger generations are working for them, but their parents are very angry, for they still hold animosity towards the Japanese.

Today in class, I asked the question, “If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why.” I had a girl answer, “Japan, because it is very beautiful and it is growing and I enjoy it very much.” I was surprised. Soon after, another girl said, “I, too, would like to go to Japan. My major is Japanese language, and someday I hope to be a business woman in Japan.” I was taken aback entirely. This is unheard of, but the younger generation has no reason to dislike the Japanese.

I almost wonder what their families think.

Regardless, the gap is large. The generations made a huge jump. In the 80’s, China began to open up to the world. It wasn’t until the last few generations that technology has entered into China. So the generations took a huge leap forward in things they used.

Perhaps at some point I’ll ask some of the older generations what they think of the younger generations.