China's Youth: Increasing Diversity amid Persistent Inequality

This book explores the status, lifestyles, attitudes, values, and behaviors of China's young adults, focusing on millennials born between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s. It examines how they differ from preceding generations and their counterparts around the world, and how current and future relations between Chinese millennials and the Chinese government can be assessed. The book also explores the factors or fault lines that have shaped the intra-generational differences among China's young people.

Format: Hardback
Length: 399 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2021
Publisher: Brookings Institution

Understanding the Young Adults Who Came of Age During the Rise of China's Economic and Global Power: A Chinese Sociologist's Perspective

This book by a prominent Chinese sociologist explores how China's youth will influence the country's future. Focusing on millennials—those born between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s—the book examines the status, lifestyles, attitudes, values, and behaviors of this key segment of the country's population. Li Chunling's study presents a native Chinese perspective on the increasingly diverse generation that at some point will assume leadership of the country.

Among the key questions addressed in the book are: How do Chinese millennials differ both from preceding generations in China and from their counterparts around the world? How can current and future relations between Chinese millennials and the Chinese government be assessed? And, what are the factors or fault lines that have shaped the intra-generational differences among China's young people?

Members of this age cohort are extraordinary and, in some respects, unique in contemporary China. Their ascent has accompanied five historic and far-reaching developments. These include China's rapid economic rise, the adoption of the one-child-per-family policy, the largest domestic rural-to-urban migration in Chinese history, the opening of extensive educational opportunities abroad, and the arrival of the digital era. Young Chinese citizens have developed a comprehensive understanding of the world much faster than previous generations; millennials see themselves not as extensions of the past, but rather as the innovators of the country's future.

Through expansive and in-depth empirical research on Chinese millennials and younger age cohorts (people in their late teens and early 20s), Dr. Li's book illustrates how China's youth are shaping the country's future. The book highlights the challenges and opportunities that millennials face, as well as the ways in which they are contributing to the country's development.

One of the key findings of the book is that Chinese millennials are more likely to be educated and have higher incomes than their predecessors. This has led to a greater sense of social mobility and a more diverse workforce. However, it has also created a number of social and economic challenges, such as income inequality and social exclusion.

The book also explores the impact of China's one-child-per-family policy on millennials. While the policy has led to a decrease in the population, it has also had a significant impact on family dynamics and social norms. Many millennials are now facing the pressure of caring for their aging parents and grandparents, while also trying to achieve their own personal goals.

The book also examines the impact of China's rural-to-urban migration on millennials. While the migration has led to economic growth and development, it has also created a number of social and cultural challenges. Many millennials are now living in urban areas, where they face a different set of challenges than those in rural areas.

In addition to these challenges, the book also highlights the opportunities that millennials have to contribute to the country's development. Millennials are more likely to be creative and innovative, and they are more likely to be interested in social and environmental issues. They are also more likely to be willing to work hard and take risks.

The book also provides a number of recommendations for how the Chinese government can better support millennials. These include increasing access to education and healthcare, reducing income inequality, and promoting social inclusion. The government should also work to create a more supportive environment for millennials to start their own businesses and pursue their own dreams.

In conclusion, this book by a prominent Chinese sociologist provides a valuable insight into how China's youth will influence the country's future. The book highlights the challenges and opportunities that millennials face, as well as the ways in which they are contributing to the country's development. By understanding the young adults who came of age during the rise of China's economic and global power, we can better prepare for the future and ensure that China continues to thrive in the years to come.

Weight: 744g
Dimension: 159 x 236 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780815739364