ABSTRACT
We have mentioned in Chapter 2 that the Chinese value “face” and care deeply about how others judge them. People generally conform to societal expectations and seek others’ acceptance and respect. At the extreme, this has become a competition to see who can best meet social expectations. One young informant commented, “It seems that one’s life path has been chosen and paved at the very beginning, in line with expectations from family, friends, and society.” Choosing another path can be quite difficult and create a life filled with burdens and pressures.
