Dimensions of Identity and Pathways for Engagement in the Preservation of Local Cultural Heritage among Young Chinese People: A Grounded Theory Study

Dimensões da identidade e caminhos para o envolvimento na preservação do patrimônio cultural local entre os jovens chineses: um estudo de teoria fundamentada

Under the context of cultural globalization, this study explores how youth reconstruct the value of local culture amidst negotiating its subjective identity and cultural belonging. It contends that young people’s engagement in cultural heritage conservation is not merely an external response, but a constructive practice of cultural agency, rooted in the awakening of value identification and an existential sense of belonging. Through semi-structured interviews with 30 young Chinese people and utilizing the three-tiered coding process of Grounded Theory, a localized theory model is derived. The study indicates that youth engagement follows a dynamic and nonlinear path of “perception-identity-action”, with cultural confidence serving as the pivotal hub driving a virtuous cycle. This work posits that cultural heritage can serve as the foundational basis for contemporary ethical practices and identity construction. Further, it stresses the imperative of a collaborative governance involving diverse stakeholders and institutional guarantees to propel the youth as an organic force in the cultural rejuvenation process.

Keywords:
Agency; Youth; Heritage; Culture; Identity; Philosophy; Practice; Action; Ethics