They are the first generation born under the one-child policy that came into effect about 30 years ago. Today this post-80s generation are mostly aged between 20-28 and lead independent lives. Their unique family environment is a far cry from that of their parents' generation, and has helped shape a personality of self-centeredness that makes them risk takers who are more open-minded and confident. Surveys conducted by Horizon Research, a well-known consultancy, revealed that many of this generation are overly spoiled by other family members, thus forming a child-centered nuclear family pattern and fostering their strong sense of self-identity. As the economy blossoms and new technology emerges, they are more open to hi-tech products and an advanced lifestyle. They own the latest new and cool electronic gadgets and surf the Internet to play online games and chat. They are faithful to Western-style carnivals and Disney, and fans of Hello Kitty and ipods. Being brought up in a market economy, and weened on foreign pop stars, fast food, Hollywood movies and the Internet, they are "products" of the 1980s. Compared with those born in the 1960s, they are simple and childish, but with those born in the 70s, they seem cynical and scornful. They are rebels living the good life, arrogant but vulnerable, with little life experience. Narcissistic and strong advocates of individuality, this generation is short of a sense of responsibility and belief in the spiritual aspects of life. The post-80s generation is used to pressure. They've had it all the way through school, endless tests and certificates needed for better education and higher paid jobs. They missed the government-subsidized housing system, and are faced with the heavy burden of supporting their parents in an aging society. Most of them are more concerned about social trends and fashions than criticism and enjoy socializing, meeting challenges and feeling needed. And their money is earned from what they know, money that is largely used to educate their kids. It is true that most of this generation have become the core staff of many industries, who are attaching more importance to self worth. They work hard and play hard, and that's why they live happier than their predecessors. And now they are gradually, whether consciously or not, forming China's future middle class.

他们出生的时候，正是中国计划生育政策开始正式施行的时候，因此他们大多是独生子女；相对于他们之前出生的人，他们出生、成长的年代是一个相对和平稳定、物质优越、经济繁荣的年代。根据《中国统计年鉴》的数据，在1980年至1989年之间的10年中，中国约有2亿人出生。如今，他们中最大的已经有28岁了，最小的也将近20岁，已经和正在走向自己独立的人生道路。 特有的生长环境，使得他们大多自我为中心，因而比他们的上一代人看起来更加自信和富有个性。零点调查公司的专家分析他们的成长经历时认为，独生子女的身份让他们在家庭中的地位较高。而又由于自己的特殊家庭地位，拥有了一切优先体验各种时代前沿的东西的能力：在父母都不懂的情况下，他们可以拥有电脑、上网；他们会去消费家长通常不去体验的东西--从嘉年华、迪斯尼、hello kitty，到ipod、电脑游戏、网上交友。 有种观点认为，他们就象一批80年代下的蛋，是被市场经济、舶来的歌星、洋快餐、进口大片、互联网等现代高科技产品孵化出来的。他们的言语、行为、思想，比起60年代的人，就像长不大的宝宝，和70年代的小资站在一块，他们又有点玩世不恭；因此有一种评价得到很多人的认可：他们是生活在幸福中，没经历风雨、比较叛逆独立的一代。他们自傲但心理脆弱、独立生活能力差；思想个性独立、叛逆性强，能大胆地表现自已，善于自我欣赏，自信心强；他们中的许多人没有主义、没有信仰，缺少社会责任感。他们因此还被誉为精神缺钙的一代。 但是，仔细审视一下他们成长的过程，就会发现他们其实并不是人们想象的那么一帆风顺。他们中的大多数从小学开始就面临众多的压力，小学升中学、中学升大学的升学压力，以及随后的就业压力。迫于各种压力，他们从小学生时代开始，除学业以外，就开始疲于获得各种资格证书的努力之中，以求得最终在激烈的竞争中胜出；和他们的上一代人不同，他们没有赶上福利分房的便车，他们要自己挣钱买房子。在不久的将来，他们的小家庭还要承担赡养夫妻双方的父母4位老人的重担。 他们中许多人对于社会上普遍存在的消极看法并不以为然，他们认为自己更符合“潮流”，更有思想，也善于接受新事物，他们喜欢跟同样年代的人交往，同时，他们也有很强的自豪感，认为他们将来一定能够承担很大的社会责任，社会是需要他们的；他们会凭自己的学识去赚大钱培养好自己的后代；他们还以拥有现代化的科技产品、追求时尚的生活境界而感到无比兴奋。 事实上，他们中的大多数人在工作岗位上骨干，他们更看重自我价值的实现，努力工作,但强调享受生活。他们比前辈活得更自信，更快乐，他们正在形成中国未来中产阶级社会的中坚力量。