On November 28, 2011, the department of Chinese Rural Studies at the Central China Normal University published a report based on a recent survey on the current attitudes of Chinese farmers. The report showed that 41.2 percent of Chinese farmers believe that the disparity in income between the rich and the poor is obvious; 73.3 percent of the farmers believe that the income disparity impacts social interaction; 66.2 percent experienced feeling inferior when interacting with wealthy people. The survey also showed that fewer farmers who are under the age of 30 are assuming such social responsibilities as casting votes, participating in meetings, and voicing opinions, as compared to those who are over 60 years of age.
The survey was conducted among 4,794 farmer’s families from 270 villages and 31 provinces. It took over 200 students and teachers five months to conduct the survey.
Source: Xinhua, November 28, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/society/2011-11/28/c_111201081.htm