Rian Dundon Photography | “China’s Next Next Generation”

We welcome Rian Dundon to the enoVate blog team. He will provide weekly photos and snapshots into the lives of Chinese youth. His excellent photography will help to contextualize our weekly themes. Enjoy!

At age 23 Chen Yu, a graduate student in software engineering at a top school in Hunan province, unexpectedly became a father. Though traditional in his choice to start a family young he also represents a newer, educated generation in China that is marked by opportunities far surpassing those of their elders. Hailing from a small city in southern Hunan province, and only one generation removed from his grandparents toiling life as farmers, Chen Yu offers a unique perspective on raising a family as a member of this transitional generation of Chinese youth. Says Chen Yu,

“Within ten years I want to become a man who is able to take care of the people I love very well, is able to understand them, to help them, and to make them feel comfortable in our life together. We worry about our future, our dreams versus our reality. It is a struggle. Maybe we cannot plan the future because we don’t know what opportunities will come or not come. I think during two people’s lives the process is always a struggle. We need to set a clear target to chase and, when we finally achieve that target, we may realize that the process was the truly beautiful part.”