Different Generations

In this week, I will discuss the topic about our generation and our parents' generation with my classmates. So I would like to share my thoughts here with you.

One generation is value by its distinguishing feature all the while. We can apparently discover some unique thoughts, actions, and events in a particular era. For example, in the United States, there is a term called Generation X . The label was chosen because people consider it a "Reactive" or "Nomad" generation. The older generations generally have negative perceptions of Reactive generations—whose members tend to be pragmatic and perceptive, savvy but amoral, more focused on money than on art. After generation X is generation Y which is known as the Millennial Generation or Generation Next. Generation Y is generally signified by an increased use and familiarity with communications, media, and digital technologies.
In Taiwan, because of the multicultural history background, the older generation shows significant differences between the new generations. By the end of the 1949, when the Communists controlled almost all of China, the KMT retreated to Taiwan with 2 million people. In the 1970s, the president, Chiang Ching-kuo launched the "fourteen major construction projects", the "ten major construction projects " and the "Twelve New Development Projects" which contributed to the "Taiwan Miracle." His accomplishments give Taiwan a 13% growth rate, $4,600 per capita income, and the world's second largest foreign exchange reserves. However, now the unemployment rate is climbing, and there is an economical depression. This is t he worst financial crisis since the great depression in the 1930s.
Nowadays, with the innovations of new technology, each person owns a computer in and surfing the Internet can be a routine in our daily life. We not only absorb any kinds of information on the net but also share our own ideas with people all over the world. So the pace in this society becomes even faster than the old days and the people’s horizons are not restricted anymore when only staying in their home town. Furthermore, people can share their own thoughts to the public which includes some creative and critical ideas. So the public can pool the wisdom of the masses and then prosper our country. This method of sharing opinions keeps everyone exchanging their ideas promptly. One of the relative examples is the invention of Wikipedia. Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia which allows anyone with professional knowledge to edit the web page. This useful, convenient, and instant tool becomes so popular in recent years. While people have some questions toward an event or professional knowledge, they usually check out some information on this website. This kind of contributions makes any opinion flow between individuals. Thus, I will regard this trend makes the new generation a fast pace one and any kinds of thoughts gained wide currency immediately. On the contrary , since Confucianism is considered as a country religion, the older generation put the emphasis on their family in stead of enjoying other leisure activities. One of the apprentices of Confucius, Mencius, carried Confucius’ ideas further. He mentioned that whether parents are doing right or wrong things, children should not disobey their parents. In my opinion, this thought seems ridiculous. But children in the new generation do not have any respect to their parents. All the children want from me is money. If they do not get what they want, they will abuse their parents or even kill them. According to the statistics provided by the ministry of the interior, we can see that people between thirties and forties suffer from domestic violence, and the news recently also implies that domestic violence is increasing fiercely. T his phenomenon seldom occurred in the older generation. The idea of Filial piety influenced the Chinese legal system: a criminal would be punished more harshly if the culprit had committed the crime against a parent. Thus, in older generation, defying parents is a crime for which one deserves to die ten thousands deaths. Of course, this phenomenon has its drawbacks, too. For example, Chen Chih Chung who is the son of the ex-president, Chen Shui Bian, helped his mother do money laundering. But he claimed that all he did is to obey his parents. Although Filial piety is important, it may make a child to not know how to differentiate the right or wrong things.
Because agriculture is the most important occupation all the while in China and Taiwan, people’s personality is influenced deeply by agriculture in the old days. Agriculture needs a wide variety of specialties and techniques, including ways to expand the lands suitable for plant rising, by digging water-channels and other forms of irrigation. And all of those works must be done by one person. People are not allowed to whine or we will not have sustenance. So agriculture makes farmers stay in one place to take care of their crops. They are not allowed to move from place to place and this circumstance leads them to live a steady life. One of the 100 most influential people in 2005, Malcolm, had done a research. The research talks about the differences between Asian kids and American kids. Asian kids are more successful at math because of cultural attitudes: persistence. In my opinion persistence is the only route to success not just at math but in every area. New generations seems cannot stay in one place finishing their jobs, but I think this is because they would like to experience difference things instead of following their parents’ hopes. For example, Lin Yu-Chun is the most famous singer recently. When he told to his father his dream, his father scorned at him and then said “stop dreaming”. Lin Yu-Chun did not change his mind and practice singing constantly. Now he is one of the most successful singers in the world.
The parents of the older generations have so many children and they’ve got to take care of their crops, most of us are good at organizing our life. People can do all the house work in their young age. The president of America psychological association, Robert Sternberg said this is called practical intelligence. Practical intelligence is the ability to adapt everyday life by drawing on existing knowledge and skills. However, the new generations cannot solve all the problems by themselves and overcome any obstacles. I think their parents should take all of the responsibilities. The new generations are so-called the strawberry generations is because they are well-protected when they were young. Adults should introspect first instead of blaming their children.
In my opinion, every generation should take all the criticism because one generation is value by their character. Consequently, each generation owns their distinguishing characteristics which signify the richness and the prosperity of a country. Having the dedications of all different groups in an era means a nation is gaining their special cultural heritage. In my point of view, we are remaining a historical trait in our epoch which means all of us are creating our unique history. Whether the trend in a generation is appropriate or not, they are definitely the connection between the human being. All of us must face them and accept them in our whole life. Hence, every generation should be elated to have their culture also to enhance and glorify their extraordinary qualities.