Beyond Involution and Flatness: the Dilemma of Youth Mentality and Educational Solutions

Zezhen Li

doi:10.70088/czm72336

Authors

Zezhen Li School of Marxism, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70088/czm72336

Keywords:

involution, lying flat, youth mentality, educational alienation, resource allocation

Abstract

"Involution" and "lying flat", as typical psychological phenomena among contemporary youth groups, reflect the deep contradiction between the alienation of educational competition and the dilemma of individual development in modern society. Recent research reveals that "involution" is essentially a profound phenomenon of labor alienation under intense institutional competition, manifested primarily as ineffective internal consumption driven by rigid quantitative indicators and hyper-competitive academic environments. Conversely, "laying flat" emerges as young people's strategic, albeit passive, resistance to overwhelming structural pressure and diminishing returns on their educational investments. Both of these contrasting yet interconnected behavioral patterns originate from deeply rooted institutional factors, such as a highly singular evaluation system, rigid pathways to success, and the increasingly uneven distribution of educational and socioeconomic resources. To address these pressing challenges, this study proposes a multifaceted approach centered on fostering genuine individual growth and dismantling systemic barriers. By building a "comprehensive human development" educational ecology and actively promoting a more balanced, equitable allocation of educational resources across different regions and demographics, society can effectively mitigate these negative psychological trends. Ultimately, implementing these targeted educational solutions will successfully guide the healthy development of young people's social mentality, foster resilience, and provide crucial foundational support for cultivating a new generation of capable individuals who are fully prepared to take on the profound responsibility of national rejuvenation and sustainable societal progress.

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