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This generation grew up during the early years of the Communist era, and lived through the difficulties of the Cultural Revolution. They tend to be much more conservative, and hold traditional Chinese values, such as Confucianism.

Post ’80s generation – privilege

This generation grew up after the introduction of China’s One Child policy (introduced in 1979). The only society they have ever known has transformed itself upside down from a Confucian society where elders are obeyed and shown reverence, to a Little Emperors society where the single, precious child is spoilt and given every privilege by their parents and grandparents.

Post ’90s generation – prosperity

In the 1990s the leaders of China introduced a new policy of economic liberalism. It was during this decade that China moved from a centrally planned economy to a socialist market economy. And so the post 90′s generation grew up only knowing a very prosperous China. And of course during this time the One Child policy is still in operation, and so they have also grown up being doted on by their parents and grandparents.

Not only that, the teachers and parents of the post 90′s generation are increasingly those of the post 80′s generation. Thus those who are influencing the current post 90′s generation have not been as influenced by conservative Chinese ideas (eg. Confucianism) as in the past.

Returnees generation – Western ideas

This is not really a generation, but a significant sub-group of the post ’80s generation. Some of the post-80′s generation travelled overseas to study (eg. Australia and the United States), and have now returned to China with overseas degrees – but more importantly, with a taste for the freedoms and lifestyles of the West, and a greater awareness of Western ideas…