Teenagers are proverbially difficult. Can Chinese culture save them from the worst excesses of adolescence? There are increasing signs that Taiwan's kids may be opting for life in the fast lane.
Taiwan's teenagers, sometimes called the Y Generation to set them apart from the twenty-somethings of the X Generation, differ markedly from their predecessors, not only in appearance but also in their behavior and the way they think. A simple example: in the past, junior and senior high-school students had to wear their hair short, no more than one centimeter above the earlobe for female students and three centimeters long for males. The lifting of the so-called "hair ban" a few years ago opened the door for teenagers eager to sport trendier--and longer--hairstyles. And the irresistible flow of information from abroad, coupled with the ongoing internationalization of society in general, has ensured that Western ways have a much greater influence on Taiwan teen values than ever before.
Looks are a major concern, of course. Teenagers watch their diets in an attempt to keep trim, without considering the nutritional demands that puberty places on their maturing bodies. "I've been worrying about my figure since I was in junior high school," Hou I-ju (侯怡如), a 16-year-old senior high school student, confesses. "I often have to remind myself: Don't eat too much--no rice, no greasy foods--no matter how hungry I am." Some teenagers even shell out good money to attend weight-loss centers, or have their noses and eyes reshaped by plastic surgery. The number of such cases rises sharply during the summer recess, when students know they can change their appearance with impunity because at their new schools nobody will know how they looked before.
Clothing also helps teenagers express themselves, although few of them show much individuality in what they buy. Like many adults, they head straight for the rack of big-name labels. "I like to buy labels because they say something about my social status," says Ho Fang-yu (何芳玉), a junior college student. "They say I've got money, too." And, well, foreign-made clothes often just have that certain style. "I'm a Nike fanatic," says Lu Yu-ta (呂昱達), 13, a junior high-school student. "I go for famous-brand sports clothes and shoes because they look so much better than the locally-made stuff."
Teenagers naturally tend to choose their clothes with an eye to attracting attention. In the past, women were told to dress like ladies and keep their bodies demurely covered. Things are changing. Young people are not afraid of showing off what they have. "Out of school uniform, I often wear tight clothes and short skirts," says Chen Ssu-hsuan. "I think I have a good figure so I want to show it off with sexy clothes." The imitation factor also plays a part. "I always try to look like Lisa [a popular young Japanese singer], because she's my idol," says Hou I-ju. "I really do my best to dress like her."
Accessories play a part too. More and more teenagers regard beepers as necessities, something to be carried wherever they go. They have become such popular status symbols for teenagers that manufacturers have started to introduce brightly colored models onto the market, exclusively targeting these new, well-heeled, and predominantly young consumers. "I'm going to get another beeper," enthuses Li Tsai-hua. "I want my parents, classmates, and friends to be able to reach me anytime and anyplace." A lot of young people share the same beeper number with their boyfriends and girlfriends as a way of expressing the closeness of their relationship.
Liu Shu-i (劉淑儀), a counselor at Taipei's Hung Tao Junior High School, sees this as part of an emerging pattern. She does not think that there is actually much difference between what today's teenagers are doing and what their parents did when they were young. "There is a difference, nevertheless," she says. "Generally speaking, young people nowadays throw themselves into activities more avidly. They're more committed."
Shopping is a popular pastime, especially among young teenage girls such as Hou I-yu. "Shopping's my favorite hobby," she says. "I buy something every time I go, even if I don't really need it. Sometimes I overspend and have to borrow from my classmates." Taipei's department stores always attract countless young customers on weekends and holidays, and the best-selling lines of female clothing and accessories are those specifically aimed at young buyers.
According to Winnie Lan (籃雅寧), manager of the marketing and research center at Ogilvy & Mather Advertising, the purchasing power of Taiwan's teens has increased markedly in recent years. Why? "Well, the average family is better off," she points out. "And busy parents use money in place of time and attention. There is also an element of wanting your children to keep up with the neighbors' kids financially. Junior high-school kids spend most of their pocket money on daily necessities, but because senior high-school students are allowed to work after school they have much stronger purchasing power, and their purchasing patterns are very diverse."
Liu Shu-i agrees that more and more students are working part-time after class. "They always spend whatever they earn," she says. "One day you'll suddenly notice them wearing new clothes from head to toe. They only save when their parents force them to. They're in search of instant gratification."
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