Little Emperor Generation

In the United States, Chinese students are stereotyped as nerds or bookworms, but more importantly, hard workers. This idea, need not apply to the modern day chinese student, thanks to the one child policy, or in Shanghai at least (in my experience).

Many think that the one child policy, was originally enforced for population control. But, more importantly, it had a greater purpose...to create a group of young elites used as a weapon for global power. The concept was to have the single child enjoy the undivided resources of the whole family. In Chinese this is known as xiao huangdi, "little emperors."

Boy, were the chinese wrong! For a group of people who love to gamble, they sure lost this bet on themselves. Instead of positive effects, it has backfired and created a generation of lazy, spoiled, inefficient brats. Not all are like this, but too many for my taste.

Another name for this phenomenon (probably coined by expats), is the 6-to-1 ratio. Where the parents, plus the maternal and paternal grandparents, wait on the child hand and foot.

On the one hand as a child, its great to have never lifted a finger to do anything, but everything in China comes with a price. Although, they need not work very hard at the little things in life, their family hopes/dreams lies on their shoulders. Pressure to marry a respectable suitor, get a decent job, and be able to provide for your parents when they are elderly, is no laughing matter.

Your personal life, is no longer a personal matter, but truly a family affair. A blessing, can quickly turn into a curse in disguise, given that you have opposing viewpoints with your family.

It is funny how the older Chinese generations, mock westerners...."who marry for love", while many westerners would point out that is should be the only reason for marriage.

Keep in mind that we must not be so hypocritical, since many marriages in history are based on arranged marriages to enhance kingdoms and power, both in the East and in the West.