台灣人很保守嗎? Are Taiwanese Conservative?
I don’t think it is appropriate to treat all Taiwanese as a unified whole and conclude whether they are conservative or not. Different generations may hold very different values and attitudes toward the same things. In fact, those who were born before 1970 are obviously more conservative than those who came later.
Let’s take the subject of Work as an example. The old-timers, having lived through years of hardship, believe that you have to work in order to survive. So, working hard is of positive value and is also a basic responsibility of being human. As a result, they seldom complain about work, and they seldom switch jobs. To be able to hold a job is of utmost importance for them. Members of the younger generation, in contrast, have grown up in affluence, so they are in no hurry to step into a life of work. Many of them stay in school for higher education or pursue other individual interests and hobbies. Even if they decide to take up jobs, they would search for those jobs that offer the highest degree of autonomy and respect for individual difference rather than those that just offer more pay in return for boring work. Unlike workaholic old-timers who have their eyes only on the traditional respectable and steady jobs, young people are willing to take risks in trying out new jobs and new professions. For them, success is evaluated not only by the result but more importantly by the process. A person who has fame, high position and wealth is not successful if she or he doesn't enjoy the work, and this is something that is totally unthinkable for the older generation.
Generational differences in attitudes toward work are most obvious when it comes to the question of work in relation to gender. The older generation still believes that it is more important for women to find good husbands than to have professional skills. But today’s young women no longer put all their eggs into the basket of marriage; instead, they believe independence and self-actualization are much more important. After all, marriages might fall apart, but your skills will always stay with you.
At least in regard to work, the younger generation of Taiwanese has already broken away from conservatism. In that sense, we are happy to report: not all Taiwanese are conservative.
I don’t think it is appropriate to treat all Taiwanese as a unified whole and conclude whether they are conservative or not. Different generations may hold very different values and attitudes toward the same things. In fact, those who were born before 1970 are obviously more conservative than those who came later.
Let’s take the subject of Work as an example. The old-timers, having lived through years of hardship, believe that you have to work in order to survive. So, working hard is of positive value and is also a basic responsibility of being human. As a result, they seldom complain about work, and they seldom switch jobs. To be able to hold a job is of utmost importance for them. Members of the younger generation, in contrast, have grown up in affluence, so they are in no hurry to step into a life of work. Many of them stay in school for higher education or pursue other individual interests and hobbies. Even if they decide to take up jobs, they would search for those jobs that offer the highest degree of autonomy and respect for individual difference rather than those that just offer more pay in return for boring work. Unlike workaholic old-timers who have their eyes only on the traditional respectable and steady jobs, young people are willing to take risks in trying out new jobs and new professions. For them, success is evaluated not only by the result but more importantly by the process. A person who has fame, high position and wealth is not successful if she or he doesn't enjoy the work, and this is something that is totally unthinkable for the older generation.
Generational differences in attitudes toward work are most obvious when it comes to the question of work in relation to gender. The older generation still believes that it is more important for women to find good husbands than to have professional skills. But today’s young women no longer put all their eggs into the basket of marriage; instead, they believe independence and self-actualization are much more important. After all, marriages might fall apart, but your skills will always stay with you.
At least in regard to work, the younger generation of Taiwanese has already broken away from conservatism. In that sense, we are happy to report: not all Taiwanese are conservative.