第二篇Passage 2

A New-new Generation

They are a new kind of young people: They dye their hair different colors; wear necklaces around their necks, beads on their wrists and rings in their noses and ears. They put temporary tattoos with the words “Hello Kitty” on their chests and various small decorations on their clothes. They also like to wear black or brightly colored vests and overalls，and shoes with broad toes and very thick soles. They often can be seen riding skateboards, dancing in discos and enjoying themselves in bars.

They are very young. Most were born in the 1970s or 1980s.Having mastered computer skills, they are used to communicating on-line or through e-mail. With the aid of the Internet, they have access to much more information than the older generation. On their delicate faces is very cool expression – they are confident of doing things in their own way. Finding them incomprehensible, their elder often cast puzzled glances at them. These young people are called the “New-New People.”

According to some research, there are great differences between the young and older generations, caused by the different backgrounds they have experienced.

First, the different cultural background

The year 1979 is the dividing line between an isolated China and an open China. That was the year China introduced the policy of reform and opening up to the outside world and has resulted in two generations who think differently, have a different ideology and concepts, and even a different language system. The younger generation likes to fully display its disposition, while the older generation ignored this aspect by being required to learn the behavior of a few heroes of the time.

Second, the difference in livelihood

In the past, people were very poor. Today, however, the Chinese people, especially those living in urban areas, enjoy an unprecedented high standard of living. Due to fierce competition, many Chinese parents hope their only child will excel above others and pin great hopes on their child. Therefore, they do not begrudge spending money on their child, especially on his or her education. Hence, Chinese children enjoy good living conditions. The Chinese students studying in Japan spend money lavishly, while the Japanese students are comparatively thrifty. The reason for this is that the Chinese students are entirely supported by their parents, but the Japanese students earn their pocket money by working.

Third, a different position in the family

Before China introduced population control and family planning, each couple had several children. It was impossible for people to spend much time, energy and money on their children at that time. However, due to the introduction of the “one couple, one child” policy, the Chinese people are now focusing their time, money and energy on their only child.

Fourth, a different relationship with parents.

The generation gap has become wider today because of the overlap of parents undergoing menopause and children reaching puberty. This has been caused by implementing a policy of late marriage leading to later childbirth, and puberty for children coming earlier than for those of generations past. Because people in these two physiological periods are easily upset, arguments occur more frequently between the two generations.

In addition, in the past children easily worshipped their parents for their rich information acquired from meetings at their work units. But now things are different. The information acquired by young people from the Internet is much more than what they get from their parents. This has undermined the authority of the older generation. Currently there are more than 16 million Internet users in China. Of them, 80% are young people. With more information than their parents, they are likely to disobey them. Today in China, a three-year-old child knows to call a policeman by dialing 110 when his parents beat him because he knows that beating people violates the law. If a shop assistant offends a primary school pupil, the child will go to the manager to complain.

Fifth, a heavy burden for Chinese kids

Today, Chinese children bear a very heavy psychological burden because of their studies. This often leads to psychological abnormalities, even to mental collapse. Some children have even killed their parents who forced them to overdo their studies.

In the past, children did not have to stay up late to study but could spend most of their time playing. They enjoyed a happy life.

Some experts say the New-New People phenomenon is simply part of growth. Most New-New People are in their teenage years, which is a period for rebellion. The New-New People are not unstable in regards to their aspirations, thinking and even numbers. But they are likely to be affected by strange thinking and behavior. They like to seek out fashionable things and often accept them blindly. Hence, to correctly guide them rather than making unwarranted criticisms is the responsibility of the whole society, so that they may smoothly get over this period in which they are easily swayed in their thinking.

课文词语 Words and Expressions from the Text

New-new people 新新一代

have …tattoos on one’s chest 胸部剌有……的字样

overalls 宽大的桶裤

skateboard 滑板

display one’s disposition 表现个性

begrudge 吝惜

lavishly 挥霍地

menopause 更年期

puberty 青春期

psychological abnormalities 心理异常

mental collapse 精神崩溃

make unwarranted criticisms 横加指责