Strawberry generation

Strawberry generation (Chinese: 草莓族; pinyin: Cǎoméi zú; or 草莓世代; cǎoméi shìdài)^[1] is a Chinese-language neologism used in Taiwan for Taiwanese people born from 1990s onwards who "bruise easily" like strawberries – meaning they cannot withstand social pressure or work hard like their parents' generation; the term refers to people who are perceived as insubordinate,^[2] spoiled, selfish, arrogant, and sluggish in work.^[3]

The term arises from the perception that members of this generation have grown up being overprotected by their parents and in an environment of stability, in a similar manner to how strawberries are grown in protected greenhouses and command a higher price compared to other fruits. The term gained prominence in the Taiwanese press, as it could be a way to designate a rising demographic or psychographic in terms of consumer behavior.

Worsened working conditions, low wages, and low achievement with academic degrees -- These have become a common pain among the youth in Taiwan. They lose their will to seek their dream and submit to reality, but defamation and discrimination are still against them by society. Age seems like a sin in a career, and an excuse for employers to exploit their employees. Tell me, what kind of fairness behind these?

Zang Shengyuan^[4]

On the other hand, young people in Taiwan usually express their animosity against the term. In a 2012 survey, the term has become the most hated label among the youth.^[5] Some of them criticize the term as an excuse for not improving working conditions, and ignoring intergenerational equity in Taiwan.^[4]

Ironic usage

The official logo of the Wild Strawberries Movement

In an ironic reference to the term, a 2008 student-led political movement in Taiwan started the Wild Strawberries Movement. This movement was in response to the visit of China's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) chairman Chen Yunlin to the island.^[6][7] 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 (Chinese: 集會遊行法).^[8]

See also

• 9X Generation
• Buddha-like mindset
• Helicopter parent
• Hothousing
• Kiasi
• Kyoiku mama
• N-po generation
• Satori generation
• Snowflake (slang)
• Tang ping
• Fresa (slang)

References

1. Rachel. "The Strawberry Generation". sex.ncu.edu.tw. National Central University Center for the Study of Sexuality. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
2. Schott, Ben (30 November 2008). "Strawberry Generation". Schott's Vocab (column). The New York Times.
3. "Strawberry generation". People's Daily Online. 7 January 2010.
4. 林宗弘 (2014). 趙永佳; 蕭新煌; 尹寶珊 (eds.). "台灣的民主轉型與世代政治，1995-2010" (PDF). 一衣帶水：台港社會議題縱橫談. 香港: 香港亞太研究所: 171–214. ISBN 9789624415988.
5. 林珮萱 (2012-07-30). "青年最討厭被當成 草莓、啃老、低頭族". www.gvm.com.tw (in Chinese).
6. Cooper, Marc (7 December 2008). "Taiwanese students protest demonstration law". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 12 December 2008.
7. "Wild Strawberries: Taiwanese Student Movement Stirs Anew". International Herald Tribune. 8 December 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2008.
8. Chang, Rich; Wang, Flora & Ko, Shu-ling (11 November 2008). "DPP proposes parade law amendment". Taipei Times. Retrieved 11 November 2008.

External links

• Chou, Jenny (September 12, 2005). "Experts: Strawberry Generation is just a myth, statistics say". Taipei Times. Retrieved 2010-06-19.
• Estroff Marano, Hara (1 November 2004). "A Nation of Wimps". Psychology Today. Retrieved 2010-06-19.