Redefining Youth: Economic Pressures and Shifting Values

Young people in Taiwan and across Asia face social and economic pressures.

Reviewed by Gary Drevitch

Key points

• Youth in Taiwan and across Asia face high living costs and limited job opportunities.
• "Lying flat" reflects a shift to prioritise well-being over societal pressures.
• "Chewing on the old" reflects the reliance on family due to economic challenges.

During a recent visit to Taipei, my young tour guide, Amy, shed light on the many challenges faced by young people in Taiwan and across Asia. Her valuable insights highlighted the economic gap and social pressures facing her generation, particularly in areas such as securing stable employment and home ownership. She shared two key cultural terms that resonate deeply with youth today: “躺平” (tǎng píng) and “啃老族” (kěn lǎo zú). Each captures a distinct response to the structural obstacles hindering economic independence and well-being.

"Lying Flat"

The term “躺平” or "lying flat," has gained increasing attention in recent years, as it has become a growing sentiment among young people in China and Taiwan. Rooted in a form of passive resistance, lying flat represents a conscious choice to step away from societal expectations that, for many, have become unattainable. Rather than pursuing conventional markers of success such as high-paying careers, home ownership, or family formation, many young people are now embracing minimalist, low-cost lifestyles. By lying flat, they forgo the relentless pursuit of traditional goals that society has long held as the standard for a successful life.

Amy explained that lying flat is a personal decision she has made and a critique of societal demands. Those who choose to lie flat prioritise mental well-being and simplicity over the stress and fatigue of constant competition. In this way, lying flat challenges traditional views in Asian societies in which prestige, ambition, and success are highly valued in what it means to live a fulfilling life. This trend reflects a growing disillusionment with conventional paths to prosperity, which many feel are unsustainable given the increasingly competitive job market and the soaring costs of living and property.

"The Tribe That Chews on the Old"

In contrast, the term “啃老族” (kěn lǎo zú), or "the tribe that chews on the old," describes those youth who rely on parental support rather than attaining full financial independence. This phrase is really about the economic difficulties many young people encounter, such as stagnant wages, expensive housing markets, and limited job opportunities, which make it challenging to establish a self-sufficient lifestyle. While it carries a slightly negative connotation, often implying prolonged dependence, “啃老族” (kěn lǎo zú) reflects a societal issue more than an individual failing: Many young adults feel they have very little choice but to depend on their parents due to the substantial obstacles they face in achieving full financial self-sufficiency.

Amy highlighted that in places like Taipei and other major cities, high real-estate prices make home ownership an increasingly impossible goal for young people, even those with decent incomes. The high cost of living has reached a point where even basic independence feels out of reach, leading to generational financial strain. As a result, chewing on the old has become a pragmatic response to financial realities rather than a lack of ambition. It highlights significantly the gap between what society expects from young people and what economic conditions allow them to achieve.

Together, these two terms capture the distinct yet intertwined challenges that define the lives of many young people in Taiwan and across Asia. While lying flat represents a choice to prioritise mental health and resist societal pressures, chewing on the old reveals the complex economic dynamics that make financial independence increasingly difficult. Both terms underscore a broader societal issue: the difficulty for many young people to achieve traditional milestones and the need for a re-evaluation of how societies measure success and well-being.

Amy’s insights reflected not only her personal experience and choices but also a wider generational perspective and the challenges faced by many youths in Taiwan and other Asian societies. There is a need for societal and government action in the form of policies that address core issues for youth such as housing affordability, job stability, and financial security.