AMERICA’S GENERATION Z vs. CHINA’S NEXT GENERATION

Generation Z (also known as the Post-Millennials, iGeneration, Plurals, Homeland Generation, etc.) is generally the name given by many sociologists, demographers, researchers, and marketers to describe the generation of American kids born from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s. Since this generation is still too young to have a comprehensive study done on their common characteristics and culture, social scientists are still in debate as to whether this generation is a new generation at all or just a continuation of the previous generation known as the Millennials (a.k.a. Generation Y). In the first article in this packet, “Move Over Millennials, Here Comes Generation Z”, journalist Alex Williams or the New York Times compares Generation Z to the Millennials and argues that Generation Z is indeed a distinctly new American generation. The second article in this packet is an companion article from Michael J. Wines ofUpfront Magazine, “China’s Next Generation” describing the lives of China’s teenagers, the first generation to come of age as China assumes its new role as a global power. Read both articles and then answer the questions below.

Questions for article “Move Over Millennials, Here Comes Generation Z” (Alex Williams, New York Times, September 18, 2015)….

  1. Using the information from the article, create a chart of the culture of Generation Z. Make sure you divide your chart into the five components of culture – technology, symbols, language, values, and norms. Make sure your chartincludes at least TWO examples for each component and briefly describe each example.(Note: Some cultural elements in the article may need to be inferred or modified to fit your chart, especially for symbols and language. You may also wish to use the “Ultimate Guide for Marketing to Generation Z” which appears on the second page of the packet to help you complete your chart.)
  1. Compare and contrast the chart of Generation Z culture you created in the question above with the list we created in class. What aspects of Generation Z culture did we get right? What aspects did we get wrong? Explain.
  1. According to the article, what are THREE differences between Generation Z and their predecessors, the Millennial Generation?
  1. Do you agree with the author that Generation Z is a new, distinct generation in American history? Why or why not?

Questions for article “China’s Next Generation” (Michael J. Wines, Upfront Magazine, September 7, 2009)….

  1. Compare and contrast the characteristics of America’s Generation Z with that of China’s Next Generation. Provide two similarities and two differences.
  1. Overall, do you think there is a big difference between America’s Generation Z and China’s Next Generation? Why or why not? Provide three detailed reasons to explain your answer.