Letters | Hong Kong must wake up to its own ‘lying-flat’ youth
- Given the sky-high property prices and cost of living, this group may have long existed in Hong Kong but they just lay flat so low that we didn’t notice them
We have long heard of a category of young people in the 18-30 age group called NEET, an acronym for those “not in education, employment, or training”. These youngsters live a life of minimalism, relying either on welfare or the wealth of their families. They have ample opportunities for education and training but they just refuse to avail of them. Hiding at home and playing video games predominantly seems to be their pastime. Their social life, if any, is minimal, leave alone marriage and raising kids.
In mainland China, couples are now allowed to have three children. However, there has not been much applause. Instead, public discussion has been focused on an attitude to life that young people are adopting called “lying flat”.
This philosophy has been a catchphrase in China for some time now. This group of young people seem to have some similarities with the NEET in Japan. “Lying flat” suggests that they are giving up the struggle to achieve the usual markers of a successful life, such as achievement at work, having a family, purchasing a flat and a car. They are free from others people’s expectations of them and the pressures that arise from that.
In Hong Kong, an image of a youngster lying down in an MTR train has gone viral. Perhaps he is emblematic of the “lying flat” group in this city. Given the sky-high property prices and cost of living, I suspect this group has long existed in Hong Kong, but they just lay flat so low that we didn’t notice them.
The “lying flat” philosophy is seen as way to pursue justice, a resolve not to be ripped off by capitalists or the moneyed class. To me, it is a way for these youth to voice their resentment over the many negative aspects of our society.
I hope our government will ensure Hongkongers enjoy housing, education, public health care and other retirement schemes to reassure the younger generation and prevent the “lying flat” group from growing larger and increasing the harm posed to our society.
Randy Lee, Ma On Shan