ABSTRACT
In China, people characterize themselves and discuss generational differences based on the decade in which they were born. The five most important generations in Chinese society currently are: post-50 (i.e., born between 1950 and 1959), post-60, post-70, post-80, and post-90. In this chapter, we describe these generations briefly, and contrast their needs, values, and aspirations. We then discuss the post-80 generation in detail, as it includes people who are in their early twenties to early thirties, a critical stage of life. In addition, it is the first generation to have been born after the one-child policy was implemented in China. We firmly believe that one must understand each generation, and the relationships between them, to understand China. We expand on this in the Road Ahead section.
