Beyond resistance and resignation: A narrative inquiry into the "lying flat" movement and the reimagining of work, success, and autonomy among Chinese urban youth (AJSS-100198)

This paper critically examines the "lying flat" movement as a sociocultural phenomenon of the Chinese youth within their form of passive resistance against the dominant work ethic and societal expectations. Drawing on narrative inquiry, this study foregrounds the personal stories and reflections of the involved with the movement, understanding their motivations, experiences, as well as the larger implications that accompany the decision to "lie flat." The study uses qualitative interviews in various urban centers in China to bring to light the sensitivity with which young people are re-envisaging work, success, and independence in the wake of contemporary pressures of life. The findings reveal an intricate landscape of resistance, resignation, and creative adaptation in which "lying flat" is not just a story of withdrawal but becomes a statement about personal agency and social critique. This tendency is signaling a huge problem in discourse related to labor, leisure, and the meaning of a fulfilled life, contesting the unsustainable demands towards the younger generation. Implications of this study extend to policy makers, educators, and societal stakeholders that ask us to reflect on the values which define success and achievement.