Class Formation and Consumption among Middle-Class Professionals in Shenzhen
This paper explores the role of consumption in defining Chinese middle-class identity by examining the consumption practices of urban professionals. It is widely agreed that China has a thriving middle class. The exact definition of this middle class, however, is disputed by scholars and the Chinese...
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doaj-432a486ce5244a7ba32a210f100704452020-11-25T03:46:03ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Current Chinese Affairs1868-10261868-48742011-01-01401Class Formation and Consumption among Middle-Class Professionals in ShenzhenJacqueline ElfickThis paper explores the role of consumption in defining Chinese middle-class identity by examining the consumption practices of urban professionals. It is widely agreed that China has a thriving middle class. The exact definition of this middle class, however, is disputed by scholars and the Chinese popular press. Debates about class are also manifest in the daily lives of urban professionals. One of the most interesting areas in which identity is contested is that of consumption. The research is based on 60 in-depth interviews among professionals conducted in Shenzhen in the period 2004-2010. New wealth means that the myriad of goods on offer is accessible to large sections of the urban population. Professionals have become keen and selective shoppers. Many describe their consumption practices as informed by their own highly individualistic taste. This paper argues that professional consumption practices sometimes express individual taste but, more importantly, serve to articulate a collective social identity.http://hup.sub.uni-hamburg.de/giga/jcca/article/view/408Social scienceMiddle classConsumptionIdentity300305ChinaContemporary |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Jacqueline Elfick |
spellingShingle |
Jacqueline Elfick Class Formation and Consumption among Middle-Class Professionals in Shenzhen Journal of Current Chinese Affairs Social science Middle class Consumption Identity 300 305 China Contemporary |
author_facet |
Jacqueline Elfick |
author_sort |
Jacqueline Elfick |
title |
Class Formation and Consumption among Middle-Class Professionals in Shenzhen |
title_short |
Class Formation and Consumption among Middle-Class Professionals in Shenzhen |
title_full |
Class Formation and Consumption among Middle-Class Professionals in Shenzhen |
title_fullStr |
Class Formation and Consumption among Middle-Class Professionals in Shenzhen |
title_full_unstemmed |
Class Formation and Consumption among Middle-Class Professionals in Shenzhen |
title_sort |
class formation and consumption among middle-class professionals in shenzhen |
publisher |
SAGE Publishing |
series |
Journal of Current Chinese Affairs |
issn |
1868-1026 1868-4874 |
publishDate |
2011-01-01 |
description |
This paper explores the role of consumption in defining Chinese middle-class identity by examining the consumption practices of urban professionals. It is widely agreed that China has a thriving middle class. The exact definition of this middle class, however, is disputed by scholars and the Chinese popular press. Debates about class are also manifest in the daily lives of urban professionals. One of the most interesting areas in which identity is contested is that of consumption. The research is based on 60 in-depth interviews among professionals conducted in Shenzhen in the period 2004-2010. New wealth means that the myriad of goods on offer is accessible to large sections of the urban population. Professionals have become keen and selective shoppers. Many describe their consumption practices as informed by their own highly individualistic taste. This paper argues that professional consumption practices sometimes express individual taste but, more importantly, serve to articulate a collective social identity. |
topic |
Social science Middle class Consumption Identity 300 305 China Contemporary |
url |
http://hup.sub.uni-hamburg.de/giga/jcca/article/view/408 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT jacquelineelfick classformationandconsumptionamongmiddleclassprofessionalsinshenzhen |
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