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 The lifestyles of the colorful characters populating "Little
Emperors and Material Girls: Sex and Youth in Modern China"
superficially resemble those of the West.
But author Jemimah Steinfeld accentuates their Chinese
characteristics: a Confucian respect for elders, the social
impact of a one-child policy, and women desperate to marry
before 27 to avoid being labeled "leftover" women.
Steinfeld spoke to Reuters about young people carving out their
identities in a rapidly changing China.
Q: Why did you decide to write about this topic?
A: Right now the conversations about China often center
around common tropes: China as a political prison, China as a
sweatshop. What's lacking are books from younger writers who
have access to the more grass-roots shifts.
Q: How did you decide whom to interview?
A: They all went to university, are working decent jobs
and living in the city. They're similar to youth in the West,
yet still making different choices.
Q: What are the factors Chinese youth consider while
making romantic decisions?
A: They are still quite rooted in past values which see
women in certain roles, which aren't compatible with modern-day
China. Even whilst the cities change and their lifestyles
change, their values are stubbornly fixed.
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Q: What is the government's role in promoting tradition?
A: I think the government has agendas, and within those
agendas it suits them to censor women's voices. China doesn't allow
activist organizations to grow, because that could lead to calls for
democracy. Women's voices get lost in this battle.
Q: One chapter addresses LGBT individuals in China. What are
the challenges for the gay community?
A: I was astonished that everyone was still not out to their
parents. Even some parents know their children are homosexual, but
pretend they're not to the rest of society. I wish there was more of
a challenge towards what a family should look like.
Q: What are your hopes for China's young generation?
A: I hope women can shed the "leftover" label. Women have
setbacks in their social lives based on their sexual lives that men
don't. I hope sexual education improves. But I think it would be
boring if Chinese youth resembled those in the West. I don't think
we're perfect either.
(Editing by Tony Tharakan)
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