Group Differences Among Nongmingong: A Follow-up Ethnographic Case Study

Abstract

This study probes the differences between two generations of nongmingong by presenting and analyzing the ethnographic fieldwork data collected in a labor-intensive enterprise. In the article the authors tend to stress two points. The first is about the attitude to the choice of “reflux” and “job-hopping”. It is suggested that “reflux” and “job-hopping” are two different practices and attempts for both new and old nongmingong when confronted with future development, which may be viewed an opportunity for them. It also suggests that “reflux” and “job-hopping” may represent the needs for self-actualization, strategies and means of mobility or even the different ways of worldview between rural and urban residents of the new and old nongmingong. The second point is about the process of self-categorization of the nongmingong, which illustrates how they are divided by the ideas and options. The authors will explain the process of internal alteration by analysis of their mutual evaluation and definition, interaction, and even conflict