Group 1 - The article discusses the phenomenon of "involution" in education, particularly in China, where competition for academic success has reached extreme levels, affecting both children and their parents [1][2] - It highlights that parental involvement is not only about financial investment but also about knowledge, perspective, and time spent with children, which is a common issue in competitive societies like the United States [2][3] - The concept of "educational capital" is introduced, which encompasses economic, cultural, and social capital, influencing children's educational outcomes and future social status [4][5] Group 2 - The book "Parental Disparity" emphasizes that a child's future is increasingly determined by their parents' resources and aspirations rather than their own efforts, reflecting a shift from meritocracy to a system where family background plays a crucial role [5][6] - The narrative includes contrasting stories of two children from different socioeconomic backgrounds in Japan, illustrating how family circumstances shape educational opportunities and aspirations [6][7] - The article notes that the trend of prioritizing private education over public schooling in Japan has led to a widening gap in educational quality and access, reinforcing social stratification [8][9] Group 3 - The concept of "double-peaked" learning ability distribution is introduced, indicating that children's learning capabilities are closely tied to their family backgrounds, with affluent families producing more successful students [9][10] - The article discusses the societal implications of this educational disparity, suggesting that the pursuit of elite status creates a competitive environment that ultimately benefits only a small fraction of students while leaving many behind [10][11] - It concludes that the entrenched nature of parental influence in education perpetuates social inequalities, making it difficult for individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to change their circumstances [11][12]

2005年，社会评论家三浦展出版了畅销书《下流社会》，给后来的日本社会文化造成了巨大的冲击。 "经济上行的美"成为今年上半年的流行词。 它不仅是一种美学风格，更是对一切都生机勃勃的昨日世界的怀念，切中很多人的心声。 这些人往往成长于经济上行时期，进入社会后又碰上了就业困难等现实问题，不再对未来充满希望，只能寄托于当下的简单消费，获得微小而确切的满 足。 这种处境，与日本社会评论家三浦展所描绘的"下流社会"有相似之处。今天的文章，华东师范大学传播学院副教授潘妮妮，将借助三浦展的畅销书《下流 社会》，追溯日本的中产神话如何破灭，所谓的"下流阶层"又如何诞生。 "一亿总中流"之梦 总之，"中流"是理所当然的，特别富或者特别穷的人，都是个人的问题，不是社会的问题。 所谓"上流""中流""下流"，是日语里对"阶层"概念的文学化表达。在《下流社会》出版之前，"下流阶层"一直有着非常强烈的负面和歧视色彩。这要从 1991年日本泡沫经济崩溃之前说起。 由于六七十年代的经济高速发展，加上80年代日元升值和金融繁荣，日本国民对自己的生活方式充满骄傲。人们普遍认为，日本就像个全能战士，在经济 上是发达国家，而社会福利比很多发达国家 ...