Sharism and social awareness of the Chinese One Child Generation: urban youth and digital networks Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Danjing Zhang (Joy) Master of Arts, Creative Industries (Queensland University of Technology) Bachelor of Commence and Liberal Study (The University of Sydney) Queensland University of Technology 2015 Keywords Digital communication The One Child Generation Social trust Youth communities Chinese digital generation Social and digital sharing i Abstract This thesis investigates social awareness among the One Child Generation in China, in the context of the concept of risk society (Beck, 1992). The One Child Generation has emerged from a form of population control that has allowed only one child per urban family since 1979. Beck (1992) argues that industrial society is increasingly a producer of risk. In his view, risk is inherent to modernity and contributes to the formation of a global risk society. In the Chinese context, the One Child Generation is particularly described as a new generation of ‘spoiled’ single children. Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation in China since 1978 when Deng Xiaoping opened Chinese borders for trade has bought about specific social problems that increasingly lead to social discontent under the current Chinese government. Specifically the One Child Generation has become increasingly aware of a variety of problems including pollution, social distrust, as well as food safety issues. This group also questions current domestic consumptive practice. Consequently, widespread anxieties about the ramifications of daily life in China have become apparent in the mainstream consciousness of many Chinese citizens. This thesis examines the One Child Generation’s responses to the global concern of environmental degradation and future uncertainty by examining capacities of ‘individual focused communities’ and motivations, their current activities, their digital media communication and the future engagement among these communities. Therefore the thesis opposes the stereotypical view in the past that children born into Chinese one-child families are simplistic, materialistic and selfish. The research supporting this argument identifies counter trends towards a new model of social awareness demonstrating a hybridised version of the mechanisms of individualism and collectivism empowered by social media. This thesis examines two case studies: the emergence of an urban farmers’ community, and volunteerism in educational camps. Youth grassroots communities are very different from communities of the past. They are self-organising, highly networked and have a diverse social awareness. Here the thesis argues that urban youth’s community participation provides a mechanism and strategy for survival in the ‘risk society’ generated by the rapid economic development. Increasing social awareness and aspirations for quality of life are linked to new forms of ‘sharism’. Rather than just Western-style individualism, this new manifestation of sharism reflects Chinese local tradition as well as the global trend of digital collective intelligence. The thesis contends that digital communication in contemporary China facilitates both collectivism and freedom of choice among the urban middle class One Child Generation. Table of Contents Keywords ................................................................................................................................. i Abstract ................................................................................................................................... ii Table of Contents .................................................................................................................. iv List of Tables ......................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ....................................................................................................................... vii List of Abbreviations .......................................................................................................... viii Acknowledgement ................................................................................................................... x Chapter 1: Introduction ....................................................................................................... 15 1. The One Child Generation in the ‘Risk Society’ ................................................................ 17 2. The Connected single child ................................................................................................. 19 3. Purpose of the study ............................................................................................................ 22 4. Chapter breakdown ............................................................................................................. 28 Chapter 2: Background: The One Child Generation ........................................................ 31 1. Generational shift ................................................................................................................ 33 2. One Child Generation: the little emperor, neo-tribes and identity ...................................... 36 3. The One Child Generation’s digital engagement ................................................................ 43 4. Ethical consumption and the youth’s use of ICTs .............................................................. 47 5. Born into social issues: competition, distrust, and education ............................................. 49 6. The emergence of the new ethics and volunteerism ........................................................... 54 7. The One Child Generation’s Chinese Dream ..................................................................... 57 Chapter 3: Literature Review .............................................................................................. 63 1. The One Child Generation .................................................................................................. 66 2. The Risk Society ................................................................................................................. 77 3. Digital media communication ............................................................................................. 83 4. Sharism ............................................................................................................................... 89 Chapter 4: Methodology ..................................................................................................... 105 1. Research Questions ........................................................................................................... 106 2. Case Studies ...................................................................................................................... 108 3. Approach ........................................................................................................................... 113 4. Mixed methods .................................................................................................................. 115 5. Contextualising the field and scope .................................................................................. 123 Chapter 5: Urban farmers communities ........................................................................... 128 1. Background ....................................................................................................................... 129 2. Approach ........................................................................................................................... 136 3. Findings ............................................................................................................................ 138 3.1 Motivations ................................................................................................................. 139 3. 2 Current activities ........................................................................................................... 148 3.3 Digital communication tools ........................................................................................... 160 3.4 Future and barriers ......................................................................................................... 170 4. Conclusion to the chapter .................................................................................................. 172 Chapter 6: Volunteerism associated with youth camp re-education .............................. 176 1. Background ....................................................................................................................... 178 2. Approach ........................................................................................................................... 193 3. Findings ............................................................................................................................ 200 3.1 Motivations ..................................................................................................................... 200 3.2 Current activities ............................................................................................................ 208 3.3 The use of digital communication and the grassroots volunteerism ............................... 225 3.4 Future engagement ........................................................................................................