ABSTRACT
In research on the adaptation of the new generation of rural migrant workers to urban life, “urbanization” and “modernity” are frequently linked to “adapting to an urban environment”. Negotiating the relationship between rural identity and modern identity is an issue which should be given special attention in research on urban adaptation and social inclusion among the new generation of rural migrant workers. Naturally, viewed from the antagonistic positions of urban and rural culture, this implies that the ultimate result of rural migrant workers’ adaptation to urban life is the complete abandonment of rural culture and full identification with urban culture; otherwise, such adaptation will produce unsatisfactory results. In fact, the development of individual modern identities among the new generation of rural migrant workers is not antagonistic to their rural identities; on the contrary, both identities can co-exist with each other. The conflict between urban and rural culture is merely one expression of the urban adaptation process and is not a result. Unrestrained convergence with urban dwellers is merely an idealized state of being among the new generation of rural migrant workers adapting to the urban environment. However, the reality is that rural culture as a type of culture which embraces rural customs, practices, and living habits, cannot possibly be completely eradicated from the hearts and minds of the new generation of rural migrant workers. Accordingly, the search for a new balance between urban culture and memories of rural culture should forge a new path to urban adaptation based on ideals and reality.
