Analysis of the Phenomenon of “Involution” among Young People

Abstract

"Involution" among young people refers to the continuous efforts of the young generation in pursuit of better grades, career development, and quality of life in today's competitive social environment. This phenomenon reflects the problems of the current education system because the school evaluation system focuses too much on scores and rankings. It is also associated with a highly competitive job market. As the economy slows down, young people are facing increasing pressure to find a job. There is also the phenomenon of "involution" in pursuing a better quality of life. With the popularity of social media and the advent of the information age, many young people measure their happiness by comparing themselves with others in terms of material conditions and travel experiences. This comparison mentality encourages them to constantly exert pressure on the outside world and chase the so-called "success" standard. In this context, this paper studies the characteristics, causes, and problems of the phenomenon of “involution” among young people in China. According to analysis, it is concluded that the phenomenon of "involution" exhibits evident utilitarian characteristics and can weaken team collaboration. It is mainly caused by parental expectations, societal norms and values, and the education system. The "involution" phenomenon leads to excessive competition and an unbalanced distribution of resources. In addition, it also hurts the education system and brings negative impacts on the workplace.