Strawberry generation (Chinese: 草莓族[1] or 草莓世代; pinyin: Cǎoméi zú or cǎoméi shìdài)[2] is a Chinese language neologism for Taiwanese people born between 1981 and 1991 who "bruise easily" like strawberries -- meaning they can't withstand social pressure or work hard like their parents' generation; the term refers to people who are insubordinate,[3] spoiled, selfish, arrogant, and sluggish in work.[4]
Persons from this generation have grown up being overprotected by their parents and in an environment of economic prosperity, in a similar manner to how strawberries are grown in protected greenhouses and command a higher price compared to other fruits.
The term is starting to gain prominence in the East Asian press, as it could be a way to designate a rising demographic or psychographic in terms of consumer behavior. The Strawberry Generation, like the Post-80s of China, could be the Asian counterpart of the North American and Western European Generation Y.
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In an ironic reference to the term, a 2008 student-led political movement in Taiwan called themselves "The Wild Strawberries". This movement was in response to the visit of China's ARATS chairman Chen Yunlin to the island.[5][6] Police actions on protests aimed at Chen suppressed the display of Taiwan's national flag and the playing of Taiwanese songs. This prompted a group of 400 students in Taipei, Taiwan to begin a sit-in in front of the Executive Yuan in protest of Taiwan's Parade and Assembly Law (集會遊行法).[7]