摘要
These modern-day nomads belong to the generation of Chinese born after January 1, 1980. Around the age of 20,they left their hometowns, in rural China, to roam to urban areas in search of work. Compared with previous generations of rural Chinese, these individuals tend to be better educated and more interested in learning new things. In addition, they tend to adapt more easily to the latest technologies. Yet, they generally feel lonely and hopeless, which is a result of their separation from their families and friends. They have a hard time identifying themselves as either farmers or citizens.
他们在20世纪80年代以后生于中国农村，20岁上下的年纪背起了行囊，离开家乡，去城市务工。与父辈相比，他们普遍拥有更好的教育背景，对新鲜事物抱有更强的好奇心，也更易于接受现代科技。独自在城市里打拼，身边少了亲人和家乡朋友们的陪伴，他们感到孤独、无助，在身份认同上徘徊于“农民”和“市民”之间的尴尬境地，却从未放弃在城市里扎下根。他们有一个共同的名字——“新生代农民工”。目前，这一群体的数量已超过8000万，他们的生存状况尤其是相对匮乏的精神文化生活，以及对融入城市的渴望正引起中国社会越来越多的关注。
