The Research On The Identity Formation And Transformation Of The Urban "New Poor"

In the phase of elite education, the identity function of education is significant. High diploma can lead to higher social status to individuals. In China, elite education gradually moved toward the identity function mass education since 1999, identity function of education also weakened. For the highly educated youth groups from bottom, to have a higher education is the most important channel to achieve upward social mobility. With the rise of the consumer society, the highly educated people have obtained a new identity-the "new poor".Based on the theoretical perspective of social identity, focuses on formation of the new identity, the main issues include:the formation of the "new poor" status, the relations between their original identity and new identity, and the discussion on "new poor" in economic, social and political situation in the future.Based on 30 case studies in Shanghai educated youth groups found that, first of all, education and identity have separated, these highly educated youth groups from the bottom, although have a strong motivation to get rid of the original class, but it is difficult to achieve upward social flow. Their "prospective structure" and "real structure" have dislocated. The new identity and qualifications with the status is incompatible. Secondly, consumption for role construction has from passive to active. When consumer role gradually overstepping the degree identity. They were forced to accept the identity of the "new poor" facts, and when they will be spending as the criteria for the classification of the transformation of identity, they try to through hard work in the consumer society in the reconstruction of a new role-- "new people", then the identity constructed by consumer. Finally, the "new poor" groups need the urgent social concern. Because they do not belong to the poor on state discourse, thus haven’t been cared. The "new poor" has the pursuit of consume quality, but there is not enough spending power, thus feel a sense of relative poverty. The "new poor" have knowledge and skills of the new media, they have the ability to express dissatisfaction by the network, so it can make a certain pressure on public opinion.