An Analysis of Youth Mentality Within the Discourses of “Lying Flat” and “Involution” and Guidance Strategies for Ideological and Political Education

Abstract

In the contemporary socio-cultural lexicon of China, the terms “lying flat” (“tangping”) and “involution” (“neijuan”) have transcended their origins as internet neologisms to become pivotal frameworks for interpreting the lived experiences, psychological states, and value orientations of a generation. These discourses encapsulate profound anxieties and adaptive strategies emerging against the backdrop of economic deceleration, intensified social competition, and the massification of higher education. This paper moves beyond superficial characterizations to undertake a rigorous analysis of the socio-structural genesis, psychological underpinnings, and ideological implications of these phenomena. It argues that “lying flat” represents not mere apathy but a complex, non-confrontational response to perceived systemic inequities and diminished social mobility. Conversely, “involution” delineates a state of hyper-competitive stagnation, where increased individual input fails to yield proportional rewards, leading to collective exhaustion and a crisis of meaning. Together, these patterns signify a critical interrogation of dominant “developmentalist” paradigms, a reevaluation of pathways to personal fulfillment, and a search for redefined conceptions of the “good life.” In response, this study advocates for a fundamental paradigm shift within university-based ideological and political education—from prescriptive critique to empathetic engagement, and from abstract idealism to grounded, pragmatic support. The paper proposes a comprehensive, four-dimensional intervention strategy termed “Meaning Healing – Career Reconstruction – Value Clarification – Action Empowerment.” This integrated model aims to equip youth with the analytical tools to understand structural constraints while fostering resilient agency, enabling them to navigate societal pressures, reconcile personal aspirations with collective well-being, and ultimately cultivate a sustainable and purposeful ethos of striving in the new era.