Song Yingwen

What does being a grown-up mean to you? In a survey of teenagers in Shenzhen, Nanning, capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous* Region, and Haikou, Hainan Province, published last week, more than 60 percent of students under 17 think being a grown-up means taking on more responsibilities.

These responsibilities for a grown-up include showing respect and being filial* to parents, conducting one’s behavior with high moral* standards, being devoted* to public welfare undertakings* and showing concern for the future of the country and society.

More than 3,000 Shenzhen students took part in the survey “Growing up and Responsibilities” carried out by the Shenzhen committee of the Communist Youth League, the Daily Sunshine and global fast-food giant KFC.

Though the definition* of a “grown-up” varies, more than 60 percent of those asked agreed that age is the dividing line between being a youth and a grown-up. Most agree that once you reach 18, you become an adult.

But to be an adult, there are certain characteristics* you should have. Shenzhen students said these were in order of importance: living independently (66.5 percent); having the ability to look at things independently from different angles, being rich in knowledge; having a strong sense of social responsibility and strong team-work spirit; and being able to show respect and understanding to the others.

Some 42.8 percent of teenagers want to secure* their independence by earning money and another 57 percent want to spend more time broadening their horizons* and increasing their knowledge.

Nearly 30 percent of the people in survey wish to celebrate the arrival of their adulthood with a long trip and 24.5 percent prefer a meaningful event.