Born between 1979 and 1984, they are the first generation raised under China's single-child policy. Some of these millions of ''one and only'' children were known as ''little emperors''.
As the blurb explains: ''Frequently spoilt, often lonely, they have difficulty learning concern for others ...''
Xinran, a London resident who is visiting New Zealand this month for writers' festivals, has written a book remarkable for the detailed analysis of the characteristics of the young adults whose lives were circumscribed because of their ''solo shoot'' status.
It would be wrong to stereotype the characteristics of those mainly women whom Xinran interviewed, but that their experiences as solo children had a profound effect on their subsequent approach to life is inarguable. Xinran said a waitress called Golden Swallow, working in New Zealand, had put it neatly.
''Chinese one-child families are preoccupied with just three things: making money, cosying up to government contacts for protection and making outrageous comparisons between their children.''
This book provides a fascinating analysis of often disparate outcomes engendered by China's now partially abandoned one-child policy.
- Clarke Isaacs is a former ODT chief of staff.
