The Party and the state have consistently attached great importance to the development of spiritual civilization. Growing up amid China’s rapid development, contemporary youth face intense pressures, which has contributed to diverse spiritual and psychological profiles – often described in public discourse as “hollow-hearted” youth, “bai lan” (“giving up/letting things slide”) youth, “angry youth”, and “dagongren” (“wage-working”) youth. The multifaceted nature of sport indicates its potential to reshape the spirit of contemporary youth. Sport can support brain function, strengthen cultural identification, transmit sportspersonship, facilitate social interaction, foster sound values, and provide recreation and stress relief. Multiple pathways are therefore needed to raise young people’s awareness of, and engagement with, sport. The government should actively broaden channels for youth participation and improve basic facilities and public services. Enterprises and public institutions should organize diverse employee sport competitions, enabling young people to experience vitality and enthusiasm for life, while enhancing work motivation and productivity. Youth themselves should also participate more in traditional Chinese sports, inherit and carry forward China’s excellent sporting culture, demonstrate a positive ethos, and respond to the national call to become “dream chasers” and “dream achievers”.
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Share and Cite
Gao, W., Gao, K., He, Q., Liu, L., Wang, X., Li, F. (2026) The Role of Sport in Reshaping the Spiritual Outlook of Contemporary Youth. Journal of Social Development and History, 2(1), 12-20.