Why Is Chinese Society So Involved in “Involution” Now?

In recent years, the term "involution" (neijuan in Chinese) has permeated Chinese society, vividly depicting a phenomenon where people engage in intense, often unproductive competition. This has led to a situation where individuals pour in excessive effort, yet the returns do not proportionally increase, and the overall development seems to be in a state of stagnant repetition. So, what has driven Chinese society to become so deeply enmeshed in this "involution" scenario?

Population Pressure and Limited Resources

China has a massive population, which means the demand for various resources, such as education, employment, and housing, is extremely high. For instance, in the education sector, the college entrance examination (Gaokao) is highly competitive. With a large number of students vying for a limited number of spots in prestigious universities, students and their parents feel compelled to engage in excessive study and extracurricular activities. According to statistics, in some provinces, the acceptance rate for top universities can be as low as single - digit percentages. This scarcity of educational resources at the high - quality end forces students to start preparing for the Gaokao from a very young age, taking extra - curricular tutoring, participating in various academic competitions, and even sacrificing their hobbies and rest time.

In the job market, the situation is similar. The growth rate of high - quality job positions has not been able to keep up with the increase in the number of job - seekers, especially those with higher education. A single well - paying and stable job opening can attract hundreds of applicants. As a result, job - seekers constantly enhance their qualifications, such as obtaining multiple degrees, certificates, and accumulating rich internship experiences, to stand out in the competition.

Social Mobility Aspirations

The Chinese dream, which emphasizes upward social mobility, has deeply influenced people's mindset. Many individuals, especially those from rural or lower - income urban families, see education and career success as the main routes to change their family's economic situation and social status. The stories of people rising from humble origins to achieve great success through hard work, like some rural students getting into top universities and then landing high - paying jobs in big cities, have inspired countless others. However, as the competition intensifies, the path to upward mobility becomes narrower.

For example, in the past few decades, the manufacturing industry in China provided a large number of jobs that allowed rural migrant workers to earn a better living and gradually move up the economic ladder. But as the economy transitions towards high - tech and service - oriented industries, the requirements for workers have changed significantly. Low - skilled workers now find it more difficult to break into the high - income brackets, and they need to constantly upgrade their skills, which leads to more intense competition in the labor market.

Educational Evaluation System

The current educational evaluation system in China places a heavy emphasis on academic performance and exam scores. In schools, students are often ranked based on their test results, and these rankings are closely related to their future educational opportunities, such as getting into key high schools and universities. This makes students and parents focus almost solely on achieving high scores.

Teachers also face pressure to improve their students' academic performance. In some schools, the evaluation of teachers is mainly based on the average scores and pass rates of their students in exams. As a result, teaching methods often prioritize rote - memorization and test - taking skills training to meet the requirements of the evaluation system. This not only increases the burden on students but also limits their all - round development and creativity. For example, students may spend a large amount of time memorizing knowledge for exams rather than truly understanding and applying it, and there is little time left for exploring their interests and talents.

Cultural Values and Social Norms

Chinese traditional culture values hard work, perseverance, and achievement. These values are deeply ingrained in people's minds and are often passed down from generation to generation. In modern society, the pursuit of success, as defined by material wealth, social status, and academic achievements, has become a dominant social norm. People feel a strong sense of social pressure to conform to these norms.

For instance, in Chinese society, there is an expectation that individuals should achieve certain milestones at specific ages, such as graduating from a good university, getting a well - paying job, getting married, and buying a house. Failure to meet these expectations may lead to being judged by family, relatives, and society. This kind of social pressure forces people to constantly strive and compete in the same 赛道，contributing to the phenomenon of involution.

Technological Development and Industry Competition

In the era of rapid technological development, industries are constantly evolving, and competition within industries is fierce. For example, in the technology - intensive sectors like the internet and high - tech manufacturing, companies are in a race to develop new products, gain market share, and stay ahead of their competitors. This has led to a situation where employees in these industries often work long hours, under high pressure.

The so - called "996" work schedule (working from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week) has become a common phenomenon in some technology companies. Employees are constantly under the pressure of meeting tight project deadlines, keeping up with the latest technological trends, and competing with their colleagues for career advancement. In addition, the lack of a perfect exit mechanism in the industry also makes it difficult for employees to easily change jobs or career paths, further intensifying the involution within the industry.

In conclusion, the phenomenon of involution in Chinese society is the result of the interaction of multiple factors. While competition can drive progress to a certain extent, the current form of involution brings excessive pressure and burden to individuals and society. It is necessary to explore solutions, such as reforming the educational evaluation system, promoting the diversification of career development paths, and changing social values, to ease this situation and promote the healthy and sustainable development of individuals and society.