Young people's attitudes towards visiting relatives for the Chinese New Year are quietly changing. In the past, we were often asked to visit relatives with our families during the holidays, but nowadays, the term "disconnected" has begun to become popular among young people as a new attitude towards family relationships.
Personally, I rarely visit friends and relatives with my family during Chinese New Year. For me, the holidays are more like a time to relax, and I prefer to enjoy myself at home rather than being busy visiting outside. It wasn't until recently that I discovered that this behavior was called "severance," but I think that is an exaggeration.
According to a survey by Hu Xiaowu, an associate professor at Nanjing University's Department of Sociology, "severing relatives" has become the norm for young people. For the "post-00s", they almost no longer contact their relatives, and the "post-90s" only contact occasionally. This phenomenon has sparked heated discussions among netizens, with some worrying that "severing relatives" is deconstructing traditional culture, while others believe that it is a symbol of the awakening of young people's subjective consciousness.
In fact, "breaking off" does not mean that young people are indifferent to their families, but more of a lifestyle choice. Our generation grew up in the age of the internet and is accustomed to communicating in virtual spaces, while in real life, they often become poor at interacting with people because of a lack of familiarity and motivation. For example, when I was in graduate school, I didn't recognize all the classmates. When I come home from vacation, I prefer to stay at home rather than visit relatives with my family.
Of course, not all young people choose to "cut off their relatives", and some are also forced by the behavior of some relatives. On the one hand, some relatives are too concerned about personal privacy and ask questions that should not be asked, and on the other hand, they like to point fingers, such as teaching you what school to go to, what job to get, etc. While they may be sincere, these actions can often be uncomfortable for individuals.
In general, "severing relatives" is not an extreme behavior, but more of an adjustment of kinship among young people. As we grow older and socialize, we are likely to re-embed kinship networks and become relatives like our parents. Therefore, we don't have to worry too much about "severing relatives", and we shouldn't be too demanding. After all, people are always in a network of relationships, and when an old relationship is broken, a new relationship is naturally formed.
Just as modern society has changed, so have our attitudes towards family relationships. The "severance of relatives" is only a microcosm of this change, which reflects the rethinking and adjustment of traditional family concepts by young people. However, no matter how we choose to approach family relationships, we should remember the importance of family. Family is the harbor of our growth and the backbone of our emotions. Although we may choose to distance ourselves from our relatives, we should also not forget that family is one of the most precious treasures in our lives.
In this special festival, perhaps we can try to communicate more with our family members, which can not only enhance mutual understanding and affection, but also inject more warmth and vitality into family relationships. Perhaps we can try to look at the care and enthusiasm of our relatives from a different perspective, and see them as a precious expression of emotion, rather than stress and burden. Perhaps we can try to find common interests and topics in communication with relatives, so that the relationship between us can be more harmonious and pleasant.
Whether we choose to "break off" or choose to maintain close contact with relatives, we should respect each other's choices and understand each other's feelings. Family relationships are complex and diverse, and everyone has their own way of life and values. In this pluralistic society, we should learn to be tolerant and accepting, so that everyone can find their own happiness. May each of us feel the warmth and happiness of our families in this Spring Festival and spend a happy and peaceful holiday together.