Demon Lord 3

Chapter 1966 Each generation has its own troubles

After mentioning the people and events of the 1990s, we wondered what those kids were like now. If we count from the early 1990s to the late 1990s, these kids were about ten years apart. But ten years is considered the same age. Now, those ten-year age gaps mean they're all over fifty. Their lives have varied greatly; many are still unmarried and childless, while others have large families. Times are changing, but some are falling behind and will never catch up, while others have reached the forefront. The difficulties they faced back then were no less than those faced by those born in the 2000s. People born in the 1980s were almost trapped by the world. While they were often pampered as children, they still had to obey their parents. When there were many children to discipline, older children could discipline younger ones, at least giving each child some space. But with two adults or even four grandparents caring for one child, the expectations gradually increased. Some spoiled them, some pushed them too hard, and some compared them to other children. If a family had seven or eight children, they would compare them all, but with only one child, those parents would inevitably look to other families for guidance. Seeing others' opinions, a sense of comparison gradually develops. The children's material conditions are generally quite good, since the entire family's salary must support one child, which is a sign of being pampered. For these children, clothes are always new, food is always the best in the family, and they have no complaints about their food, clothing, or shelter. However, they are instilled with the importance of obedience from a young age, listening to whatever adults say. Later, they face pressure from their parents to get married. The parents of those born in the 1980s are mostly from the 1950s and 60s, and their thinking is still relatively old-fashioned. Therefore, only a minority of those born in the 1980s remain unmarried and childless. In our rural area, 100% of those born in the 1980s married and had children early, and in cities, the figure is over 90%, unless they come from highly educated families and have studied abroad. Especially for urban women, back in the 2010s, these women were called "leftover women," but they were simply more educated and open-minded, understanding that these outdated ideas needed to be eradicated. However, most people don't understand this, as they generally don't have such high levels of education. They could only listen to what their parents said. In their teens, they faced the issue of schooling, and many families began to compete fiercely, trying every means to send their children to good schools. In their twenties, they faced the issue of marriage and having children. Their children were born in the 2000s, and by then, the social divide had already begun. The parents of those born in the 2000s weren't necessarily from the 1980s; they were likely from the 1960s or 1970s. People of that generation were mostly focused on their careers. After being laid off, they didn't have time to get married and have children; instead, they worked hard to make money. Once those men had money, they would find women much younger than themselves. As a result, many parents of those born in the 2000s were from the 1960s or 1970s. In this situation, these children were different from those born in the 1980s. Their childhoods were polarized. Those born in the 1960s and 1970s generally came from well-off families. Those who liked school were encouraged by their families to study abroad, while those who didn't like school were groomed to succeed them in overseas business. Many children born in the 1980s fared worse, since their parents were from the 1960s, which meant they were often from disadvantaged backgrounds. People who should be grandparents are becoming parents. Their parents have worked hard for decades, building their businesses and marrying and having children later in life, giving them more resources to nurture their children. In contrast, those born in the 1980s generally have a tougher time. Their parents married and had children early, often ending up like those laid-off workers who received subsidies and found ordinary jobs. They were already behind in raising their children, and their children, in turn, raised their children in vastly different ways. These failures serve as a stark reminder to those born in the 1990s. Many 90s kids have experienced failed marriages or even choose not to marry. The problem, in comparison, lies in the different pace of societal progress. Not everyone can board this train. When one elder in a family misses out, those who follow are left behind. The only way to overcome this is through procreation, praying that a distinguished member will emerge in future generations to lead the family onward. Things are different now; the present is far different from the past.