Strawberry generation
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 not 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]
The term arises from the perception that members of 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 Generation Y in the Western world.
Ironic usage
In an ironic reference to the term, a 2008 student-led political movement in Taiwan started the Wild Strawberry Movement (Traditional Chinese: 野草莓運動). 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]
See also
- After-eighty generation
- Helicopter parent
- Kyoiku mama
- Wild Strawberry student movement
- Twixter
- Boomerang generation
- Gap year
- Parasite single
- Freeter
- Hikikomori
- NEET
References
- ↑ "草莓族". Baidu.
- ↑ 草莓世代 The Strawberry Generation National Central University Center for the Study of Sexuality
- ↑ Schott, Ben (November 30, 2008). "Strawberry Generation". The New York Times.
- ↑ "Strawberry generation". People's Daily Online. January 7, 2010.
- ↑ Cooper, Marc (December 7, 2008). "Taiwanese students protest demonstration law". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved December 12, 2008.
- ↑ "Wild Strawberries: Taiwanese Student Movement Stirs Anew". Huffington Post. December 8, 2008. Retrieved December 12, 2008.
- ↑ Chang, Rich & Wang, Flora & Ko, Shu-ling (November 11, 2008). "DPP proposes parade law amendment". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 11, 2008.
External links
- CHOU, JENNY (Sep 12, 2005). "Experts: Strawberry Generation is just a myth, statistics say". Taipei Times. Retrieved 2010-06-19.
- Strawberry Generation blog
- Estroff Marano, Hara (November 1, 2004). "A Nation of Wimps". Psychology Today. Retrieved 2010-06-19.
| ||||||||||||||