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.
Ironic usage
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. [4] [5] 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). [6]
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
- ^ Rachel. "The Strawberry Generation". sex.ncu.edu.tw. National Central University Center for the Study of Sexuality. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
- ^ Schott, Ben (30 November 2008). "Strawberry Generation". Schott's Vocab (column). The New York Times.
- ^ "Strawberry generation". People's Daily Online. 7 January 2010.
- ^ Cooper, Marc (7 December 2008). "Taiwanese students protest demonstration law". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 12 December 2008.
- ^ "Wild Strawberries: Taiwanese Student Movement Stirs Anew". International Herald Tribune. 8 December 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2008.
- ^ 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.
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