An Effort to Humanise Development  

Adibase Raphael

A 36-year-old Ghanaian student at China Agricultural University 

Emotional value has emerged as a central force shaping youth decision-making across work, consumption, relationships and lifestyle choices. Unlike traditional economic rationality that prioritises income and material security, emotional value focuses on how choices make individuals feel and how they align with personal meaning. This shift is particularly evident in rapidly transforming societies such as China and Ghana, where economic restructuring, globalisation and social change have reshaped pathways to adulthood. 

Among Chinese youth, especially those born after the 1990s, emotional value increasingly influences everyday decisions. Consumption patterns show a turn towards emotional consumption, where spending is driven by stress relief, enjoyment and self-expression rather than necessity. Travel, wellness activities, hobbies and themed leisure spaces are valued for their emotional return. Social media platforms such as Weibo, RedNote and Douyin reinforce narratives of self-care, authenticity and mental health awareness, offering symbolic refuge from academic pressure, workplace competition and urban stress. 

In the labour sphere, emotional value challenges traditional career ideals centred on stability and prestige. Trends such as “tang ping (lying flat)” reflect dissatisfaction with intense competition and a growing preference for work-life balance, autonomy and personal interest, even at the cost of higher income. 

In Ghana, emotional value also shapes youth choices, but within a different socioeconomic context. Emotional fulfilment is closely linked to dignity, identity and hope. High unemployment has encouraged youth entrepreneurship, particularly in creative industries, digital work and small enterprises. While financially uncertain, these paths offer autonomy and emotional satisfaction. Consumption choices such as fashion, music and social experiences serve as tools for identity and belonging, amplified by social media visibility. 

In both contexts, young people increasingly question traditional definitions of success and seek emotional wellbeing alongside material security. While motivations differ, emotional value reflects an effort to humanise development. Recognising this shift is essential for policies aiming to support youth wellbeing in a changing world. 

A Sign of Awakened Self-Awareness 

Liu Yuxue

A 23-year-old Chinese graduate student in Beijing 

To me, the pursuit of emotional value is first a sign of awakened self-awareness, a desire that has grown stronger in recent years. Born into a modest family, I was thrifty from childhood and devoted most of my time to studying, both for my family and for myself. During university, I won several scholarships and honours, yet I still remember the unexplained emptiness and sadness I felt on late-night walks back to my dormitory from the study hall. 

Over time, my family’s financial situation improved. My parents bought an apartment in the city, and I became financially independent through part-time jobs. With my basic needs met and more life experience gained, I finally began to do what I truly enjoy. I started cycling, savouring the calm of beautiful scenery along the way instead of spending all my days buried in books at the library. Looking back, I understand the earlier sadness better. No one can make you unhappy but yourself, and my long-suppressed emotions eventually surfaced at the right time. 

Now, I am far more aware of my feelings and care more about the meaning of what I do, rather than blindly chasing high grades or getting trapped in endless competition. Admittedly, a degree of escapism exists in this pursuit. As a senior approaching graduation, the pressure of job hunting and thesis writing often makes me anxious. In such moments, I remind myself that living happily matters most and that adding unnecessary pressure serves no purpose. In this sense, pursuing emotional value has also become my response to present pressures and future uncertainty. 

Still, this pursuit is not merely a passive reaction to stress. More importantly, it reflects a decision to place feelings, dignity and happiness at the centre of life. The balance between emotional needs and economic reality lies in neither sacrificing happiness for stability nor chasing it at all costs, but in building a grounded and joyful life within one’s means. Simple pleasures, such as riding a modest bicycle through city streets and natural landscapes, can offer quiet comfort and lasting peace.