Study gods : how the new Chinese elite prepare for global competition / Yi-Lin Chiang.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Chiang, Yi-Lin, 1984- author.

Series:

Princeton Studies in Contemporary China

Princeton Studies in Contemporary China ; 16

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Adolescence--China.

Adolescence.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (288 p.) : 2 b/w illus. 3 tables.

Place of Publication:

Princeton, New Jersey : Princeton University Press, [2022]

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

"How privileged adolescents in China acquire status and why this helps them succeed Study Gods offers a rare look at the ways privileged youth in China prepare themselves to join the ranks of the global elite. Yi-Lin Chiang shows how these competitive Chinese high schoolers first become "study gods" (xueshen), a term describing academically high-performing students. Constant studying, however, is not what explains their success, for these young people appear god-like in their effortless abilities to excel. Instead, Chiang explores how elite adolescents achieve by absorbing and implementing the rules surrounding status.Drawing from eight years of fieldwork and extensive interviews, Chiang reveals the important lessons that Chinese youth learn in their pursuit of elite status. They understand the hierarchy of the status system, recognizing and acquiring the characteristics that are prized, while avoiding those that are not. They maintain status by expecting differential treatment and performing status-based behaviors, which guide their daily interactions with peers, teachers, and parents. Lastly, with the help of resourceful parents, they rely on external assistance in the face of potential obstacles and failures. Chiang looks at how students hone these skills, applying them as they head to colleges and careers around the world, and in their relationships with colleagues and supervisors.Highlighting another facet of China's rising power, Study Gods announces the arrival of a new generation to the realm of global competition"-- Provided by publisher.

"How privileged adolescents in China acquire status and why this helps them succeed Study Gods offers a rare look at the ways privileged youth in China prepare themselves to join the ranks of the global elite. Yi-Lin Chiang shows how these competitive Chinese high schoolers first become "study gods" (xueshen), a term describing academically high-performing students. Constant studying, however, is not what explains their success, for these young people appear god-like in their effortless abilities to excel. Instead, Chiang explores how elite adolescents achieve by absorbing and implementing the rules surrounding status. Drawing from eight years of fieldwork and extensive interviews, Chiang reveals the important lessons that Chinese youth learn in their pursuit of elite status. They understand the hierarchy of the status system, recognizing and acquiring the characteristics that are prized, while avoiding those that are not. They maintain status by expecting differential treatment and performing status-based behaviors, which guide their daily interactions with peers, teachers, and parents. Lastly, with the help of resourceful parents, they rely on external assistance in the face of potential obstacles and failures. Chiang looks at how students hone these skills, applying them as they head to colleges and careers around the world, and in their relationships with colleagues and supervisors. Highlighting another facet of China's rising power, Study Gods announces the arrival of a new generation to the realm of global competition"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

List of Figures

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1 The New Elites from China

2 Taking One's Place

3 Worshipping the Gods

4 Hanging Teachers on the Blackboard

5 Grooming the New Elites

6 Saving the Day

Conclusion

Appendix A Who Are the Elite?

Appendix B Methodological Reflections

Notes

References

Index

A Note on the Type

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780691237190

0691237190

OCLC:

1319214021