“Lying Flat”: Chinese Youths’ Resistance to Overwork and the Practice of Stratification

Abstract

Abstract This paper delves into the discourse and practice of “lying flat” (tang ping) among Chinese youths. It offers a comprehensive analysis of their collective resistance against the overwork and the competitive pressures in their career. From the perspectives of cultural, economic, and social capital, the “lying flat” among contemporary Chinese youths could be divided into three modes. The first mode, referred to as the fire mode (Financial Independence, Retire Early movement), predominantly represents the elite youths, who have ample cultural, economic, and social capital, and actively express ideas of “lying flat” online. Meanwhile, they strategize a plan for fire. However, their dreams are blocked by competition in the workplace. The second mode is the lifestyle of neet youth, which is primarily a semi-autonomous choice made by urban youths with family resources. neet youths find themselves unable to meet the requirements of the fast-paced, high-demand post-industrial career. Thus, they choose to stay at home, which known as “gnaw the old” (ken lao). Although they may not orally express ‘’lying flat”, they actually practice it. The third mode, known as the “Sanhe Gods” (san he da shen) type, corresponds to the daily laborers. These young individuals who are migrating from rural areas to urban, lack resources and hope for the future. Systemically marginalized by the urban areas, they are typically the grassroots class in society and take “lying flat” as a way of resistance. In summary, the discourse and practice of “lying flat” hold multifaceted significance. On one hand, it serves as a counterpoint to the work ethics supported by neoliberalism. Diverse forms of “lying flat” are social-stratified responses to oppose the intense competition in modern work environments. On the other hand, the stratification of “lying flat” practices mirrors the younger generation’s struggle against the imbalances of the social structure. It reflects their actions against inequality through refusal and non-cooperation toward current work ethics, fostering the emergence of new work ethics and a new paradigm of social integration.