Who else in New Zealand is disillusioned with the current political system?
Who else is confused by the fact that we live in a so-called 'first world' country, yet we struggle to find happiness? Many of Generation Y (and other generations) are living so...precariously.
Experts say a new class is emerging, but its not like the traditional 'wealth' class system, it transcends that. Its people like me and my peers in Gen Y and its called 'The Precariat'. Apparently its not just in New Zealand. The Precariat are the young ones making a lot of noise at governments in Europe, South America and beyond.
It encompasses all of us who are just 'winging it' week to week, year to year. Our jobs are not secure and our careers are totally random. Many of us feel stuck in a rut. And in the mean time, we're programmed to consume well beyond what we need, and most of us are on Facebook. How did we get caught up in this weird cycle? We're definetely searching for something..identity? What is it?
As a member of the Precariat, I have so many questions.
For me...I feel that education, health and everything in our lives has become so commodified that the quality of our lives has become diluted. That is why we are struggling with happiness.
For example, why are doctors so focused on selling me drugs to get commission, they treat the symptom and not the cause. There's something very wrong about that! Not to mention how quick they are at prescribing anti-depressants.
Why did we pay $30-$40,000 on a university degree and find that there were no jobs for that degree? Why are there seven universities and many more polytechs in a country with a population the size of Sydney. Somethings up with that.
Why do many baby-boomers have second rental properties while their own children (Often Gen Y and Precariats) cannot afford homes for their new families?
Why is it that we are encouraged to breastfeed for six months (at LEAST) yet paid parental leave is only for three? Why is it so expensive to live that we need TWO incomes just to survive?
Why are the victims from the ChCh earthquake getting shafted so much?!
Why are so many of Gen Y's kids getting allergies? Something is up with the food we are eating. And I have a funny feeling its all linked up in supermarkets maximising GP.
As a private business owner I get all that private enterprise, freedom stuff. But there needs to be a line drawn.
I feel like somethings going to give. I believe the Precariat will bring about a positive change in the world and we will see some exciting changes in the future. I would like to take part in that.
Anyone else share these feelings? Or totally disagree? Would love to hear some others sentiment, as politics is something I rarely share with others. I won't judge!
I totally get where you are coming from, in fact I felt as relieved reading this as I would've ranting it out loud myself. Something has to give - the pursuit of happiness (as personal as this journey is to each and everyone) can drive some to despair. And it all just seems ironic with the "freedom" generation now seems to be afforded. Yes, so breastfeed for 6mths to 2 years as recommended by the Worldwide Health Organisation - yet have 14 weeks maternity leave... this one seems to sum up the brick wall society is banging it's head on.
ReplyDeleteWhat we need is a revolution....anyone?
ReplyDelete