An innovative matrix to explore the life-course of the post-80s generation in Beijing

The “post-80s generation” represents the first birth cohort raised since the reforms and the relative liberalization of the economy in 1978. This is also the first only-child generation or having grown up with a limited number of siblings. In my poster I propose to present the life-course matrix (Axinn et Pearce 1999; Belli 2009; Freedman and al. 1988) I developed in order to explore the life-course of 900 members of this generation living in Beijing and some preliminary results.
This matrix is meant to collect retrospective data on the family, school, migration and professional biographies of young adults living in Beijing and born between 1980 and 1985 in order to understand, in a life-course perspective (Giele and Elder, 1998), what impacts have the reforms had on the stages to transition to adulthood in this age cohort and if there is a trend towards an individualization and de-standardization (Yan 2009; Beck 1986; Beck et Beck-Gernsheim 1994; Beck, Giddens et Lash 1994) of the life-course for this generation of young Chinese adults.