I think “respecting the youth” is trying to figure out how the older generations view the younger generations.
In the USA, there is a pretty strong current of “anybody younger than me” is always inferior, lesser, worse. So a younger person’s opinion is attacked or ignored by someone who is older no matter how correct a younger person’s opinion may be.
It could be understood as, “When do the the older generations accept the younger generations as a peer?” or “When do the younger generations become accepted by the older generations as an equal?”
In China, there is an old saying used by the elderly to criticize the young: “I have eaten more salt than you have eaten rice.” Nowadays, young people respond to stubborn elders with, “Old thing, you should have blown up your gold coins by now.”“老东西，早该爆金币了” .It’s like defeating a boss and getting loot.Some older people are still reasonable, and there is a consensus in China that young people are considered “energetic,” “the future of China,” and “the sun at eight or nine in the morning.”
In modern Chinese history, young people were the main force in revolutions. During the New Culture Movement, young Chinese fought against the rigid and dogmatic elders who adhered to “ancient teachings” and “ancestral laws.” In the May Fourth Movement, students mobilized workers and the petty bourgeoisie to prevent further colonial infringement on China’s sovereignty (such as the transfer of Shandong from Germany to Japan, even though China was considered a victor in World War I).《少年中国说》 “The Young China” essay from the New Culture Movement is something every Chinese middle school student learns. Publicly belittling young people can only happen in small circles; on the internet and in real life, such behavior will be ridiculed.
If we look at it from a family perspective, unfortunately, most Chinese people believe that children should listen to their parents. Of course, extreme control over children is also criticized in China. How important a child’s personal thoughts are depends on the parents.
If you are referring to expressing political views, people may criticize each other based on differing political opinions, but they won’t discriminate against you just because you are young, and there are no special privileges either.
In terms of politics, in China, one must start from the grassroots level to enter politics. Even if you have connections, it can only speed up your promotion slightly (if too fast, unless you are very capable, you will be reported to the discipline inspection commission as there is no shortage of competitors in officialdom). Therefore, many Chinese politicians are already middle-aged or elderly because people generally believe they have more experience and stability.
You might want to look at 《风波》“The Gale” from Lu Xun’s 《呐喊》“Call to Arms” during the New Culture Movement, which might be similar to what you mentioned.
I have no real input in this discussion other than reading it and being fascinated. I just wanted to say that I love the phrase: the sun at eight or nine in the morning.
I think “respecting the youth” is trying to figure out how the older generations view the younger generations.
In the USA, there is a pretty strong current of “anybody younger than me” is always inferior, lesser, worse. So a younger person’s opinion is attacked or ignored by someone who is older no matter how correct a younger person’s opinion may be.
It could be understood as, “When do the the older generations accept the younger generations as a peer?” or “When do the younger generations become accepted by the older generations as an equal?”
In China, there is an old saying used by the elderly to criticize the young: “I have eaten more salt than you have eaten rice.” Nowadays, young people respond to stubborn elders with, “Old thing, you should have blown up your gold coins by now.”“老东西，早该爆金币了” .It’s like defeating a boss and getting loot.Some older people are still reasonable, and there is a consensus in China that young people are considered “energetic,” “the future of China,” and “the sun at eight or nine in the morning.”
In modern Chinese history, young people were the main force in revolutions. During the New Culture Movement, young Chinese fought against the rigid and dogmatic elders who adhered to “ancient teachings” and “ancestral laws.” In the May Fourth Movement, students mobilized workers and the petty bourgeoisie to prevent further colonial infringement on China’s sovereignty (such as the transfer of Shandong from Germany to Japan, even though China was considered a victor in World War I).《少年中国说》 “The Young China” essay from the New Culture Movement is something every Chinese middle school student learns. Publicly belittling young people can only happen in small circles; on the internet and in real life, such behavior will be ridiculed.
If we look at it from a family perspective, unfortunately, most Chinese people believe that children should listen to their parents. Of course, extreme control over children is also criticized in China. How important a child’s personal thoughts are depends on the parents.
If you are referring to expressing political views, people may criticize each other based on differing political opinions, but they won’t discriminate against you just because you are young, and there are no special privileges either.
In terms of politics, in China, one must start from the grassroots level to enter politics. Even if you have connections, it can only speed up your promotion slightly (if too fast, unless you are very capable, you will be reported to the discipline inspection commission as there is no shortage of competitors in officialdom). Therefore, many Chinese politicians are already middle-aged or elderly because people generally believe they have more experience and stability.
You might want to look at 《风波》“The Gale” from Lu Xun’s 《呐喊》“Call to Arms” during the New Culture Movement, which might be similar to what you mentioned.
I have no real input in this discussion other than reading it and being fascinated. I just wanted to say that I love the phrase: the sun at eight or nine in the morning.