Youths: Why we are not a Lost Generation

We are called a Lost Generation because we are struggling in record numbers to find work, leave home, and start a family. In fact it’s no secret that it’s normal to find a 30 plus male today still living with his parents. Thus our critics are quick to label us as a lost generation, something that I struggle to comprehend. It’s fair to say that my generation of young people has been affected by the difficult economic situation of the present time. Unemployment levels have skyrocketed and funding for our university education is being cut.

But are we actually as bad as the society brands us to be or is this just another attempt to cover the society’s own fallacies and loopholes?.

We are defined as people who refuse to settle down and make commitments, and who would rather go on partying into middle age. As a People we are scared of thinking of ourselves as adults. It’s claimed we cannot see anything good that comes with being an adult; all our cultural values are with youth and the further we move away from that, the more anxious we become.

However, I don’t think it’s right to compare us to a ‘lost generation’, rather these difficult times, which has affected us all, has made this generation stronger and more resilient than ever before. This is a generation of smart, competitive, adaptable and semi-rebellious individuals who sometimes come across as rant machines on social media because deep down, we are fed up of the system trying to bog us down. We are the largest, most well-educated, culturally diverse, globally aware, technologically savvy, and socially engaged generation our world has ever seen. This generation is globally oriented, extremely diverse, technologically brilliant, and it has the most progressive political orientation till date. We are the only generation that believes that we have better opportunities to make a difference and produce structural change than previous generations.

We have a clear sense of generational identity; we share specific beliefs, attitudes, and experiences that set us apart from generations that have come before us. We have a strong sense of global connection, a great deal or a fair amount in common with young adults of our generation in other countries, rather than just a little or nothing at all. It’s become clear that we are a generation that will no longer take no for an answer. We will no longer sit around and wait for change; instead we are forcing change to happen and holding our governments accountable.

It’s time that our leaders recognised young people as leaders of today and not tomorrow. They and others should stop labelling us as a ‘lost generation’, and should instead recognise us as equal stakeholders, providing us with the platform to have our voices heard and allowing us to help shape future policy.

We need to be given opportunities and experience, something the current system lacks. We need a more open relationship with government; one that actually cares and actually values our opinions, one that doesn’t just turn against us or use us for political gain as in the last general election.

We just need to be given the space, the time and the investment to shine. Let it be heard that our generation is not apathetic, we are far from it. We do care about the society we live within and we do have a voice. For those of you that continue to label us a ‘lost generation’, I ask you to go speak to a young person and find out what their goal in life is. Make a commitment to ensuring they receive the support they need to achieve their ambition. And know that you helped them on their road to future success. Our generation is hopeful. We have lots of ideas about how to improve our world. If we feel compelled to label the next generation, maybe that label should include the word hope.