[ufo2012]

So there was already a thread previously about this, but I wanted to approach this in a different way than the other thread.

Question here is:
Do you think you are a part of the Lost Generation?

For example:
-Are you still living at home with parents yet over 25 / want to move out but can't?
-Struggling to fund your own education?
-Trying to get into uni but can't (yet you could have easily a few years ago)?
-Difficult to find yourself a job if you are out of education now?
-Working in a job but it is way beneath what you are qualified for?
-You feel stuck where you are at and cannot move on?

Do you feel a part of the Lost Generation or feel that you have escaped it?

[rj1990]

I do. I feel completely lost and stuck. But you just gotta stay positive and move forward.

[Darth Stewie]

Sort of, i do feel our generation is pretty much trodden into the dirt by the older generations. We are going to be the ones who have to pay for the ever increasing strain on the NHS by pensioners who have no desire to help ease the load despite living considerably longer.

I don't think we are lost but i do think we are going to be part of the clean up generation that is constantly bogged down by the actions of our predecessors.

[TheKingoftheJews]

[Feragon]

Compared to you guys I am only a kid, going to start uni in September, however one of my cousins who is part of this lost generation packed his bags and went off to Angola to find work and he's really happy there making loads of money; perhaps you should give going abroad a chance or maybe even within your countries try out some jobs that are more "degrading" but have a good employment prospectus....I know it might sound stupid but one of my friends decided he didn't want to go to uni so instead he went to find work and he now works in a fishing fleet in Norway he says its tough bu the pay is good and you only work a few weeks/months at a time so you have plenty of rest.
I might sound naive or stupid, but these are just some stories I know and I thought it might inspire some of you.

[ufo2012]

(Original post by Darth Stewie)
Sort of, i do feel our generation is pretty much trodden into the dirt by the older generations. We are going to be the ones who have to pay for the ever increasing strain on the NHS by pensioners who have no desire to help ease the load despite living considerably longer.

I am guessing you have some resentment for the older generation then?

They have become a 'me' generation as much as the current generation even though they don't realise it, since all they ever do is go on about their pensions now.

(Original post by Feragon)
Compared to you guys I am only a kid, going to start uni in September

You may already be a part of it but don't yet realise

Interesting video btw KingOfTheJews if that is your feelings on the matter

[TheKingoftheJews]

(Original post by ufo2012)
Interesting video btw KingOfTheJews if that is your feelings on the matter

It is, lets face it Technology has exploded past couple of years. The mother in the video is belittling her son because she doesn't understand it, if he doesn't go out how is she helping him by complaining at him, undermining him. This is a prominent issue in many households as well as mine. We're different nowadays, we've changed but they won't accept it.

[ufo2012]

(Original post by TheKingoftheJews)
It is, lets face it Technology has exploded past couple of years. The mother in the video is belittling her son because she doesn't understand it, if he doesn't go out how is she helping him by complaining at him, undermining him. This is a prominent issue in many households as well as mine. We're different nowadays, we've changed but they won't accept it.

She isn't helping him, but she is American, so I guess we'll just have to forgive her

[Darth Stewie]

(Original post by ufo2012)
I am guessing you have some resentment for the older generation then?

They have become a 'me' generation as much as the current generation even though they don't realise it, since all they ever do is go on about their pensions now.

Well they basically made plans to exploit us before we were even born so you could say that, the wanted good public services and low taxes so rather than paying for all their spending through their taxes the previous generations decided to fund it by borrowing and taking on a ton of debt, debt that they then passed on to us.

Not only that but a large number of baby boomers have yet to retire and when they do we will be landed with a huge increase in pension costs, a huge increase in health care costs and a massive drop in tax revenue. The sheer numbers alone will prevent us being able to do anything about it and they simply do not care that our generation is the one that has to deal with the consequences of their actions.

Basically we are not the lost generation we are the exploited generation who were screwed over before we were even born.

[ufo2012]

(Original post by Darth Stewie)
Well they basically made plans to exploit us before we were even born so you could say that, the wanted good public services and low taxes so rather than paying for all their spending through their taxes the previous generations decided to fund it by borrowing and taking on a ton of debt, debt that they then passed on to us.

Not only that but a large number of baby boomers have yet to retire and when they do we will be landed with a huge increase in pension costs, a huge increase in health care costs and a massive drop in tax revenue. The sheer numbers alone will prevent us being able to do anything about it and they simply do not care that our generation is the one that has to deal with the consequences of their actions.

Basically we are not the lost generation we are the exploited generation who were screwed over before we were even born.

We were, but even more so by people in high places.

I don't know of a lot of people who took on reckless debt personally, but the people who encouraged it were those who were in positions of power. Both at government level and more local level. And the boomers just lapped it all up because those people were telling them it was good. I do think there was a lot of thoughtlessness, but often because others were doing the thinking for them and telling them it was all okay (and was all going to be okay in the future).

Look now how the tables have turned with those in any position of power - all those in power now want is austerity and your friendly bank manager for example is not so friendly anymore as he/she doesn't want to lend to you because you might be a risk.

As for us then being landed with a huge increase in pension costs, a huge increase in health care costs and a massive drop in tax revenue - they will let it run for a while to see how we all cope but maybe then after a while they will bail us out like they seem to do everyone else.

[Nightstar-27]

At the moment my plan is to finish my degree and then work abroad a bit. Been looking at programs that go to Asia or Australia that I may be able to do after University. I don't really want to leave the country forever cause it is my home but I honestly feel as a young person that the government does the least for me and that my generation is being screwed over and forced to pay the tab of our elders. Most of the wealth in this country belongs to the pensioners and they also get a huge amount of benefits be is free travel, help for heating etc etc. I know they worked for what they got but at the same time I'll have to work harder to get a decent job and won't even get half of what they're getting by their age. It isn't fair and the government should really do something about it but life isn't fair and the government won't. This isn't just a problem in this country though, its a problem in many countries, especially Western ones. I have another 2 years of university to go and hopefully a year or 2 abroad. When I come back I might do a masters/PhD and hopefully have enough work experience and qualifications to get me a good job or allow me to work up a career ladder. Kind of depressing to think though that I may never be able to own a house and settle and may have to go into a life of moving around to get a job. This means it'll be hard for me to settle down with a partner, let alone start a family if I ever decide I actually want one.

[ufo2012]

They planned the whole thing well, so that we would turn on the older generation and forget that it was actually the fault of the government, those in positions of power, the banks and the list goes on...

[Darth Stewie]

(Original post by ufo2012)
We were, but even more so by people in high places.

I don't know of a lot of people who took on reckless debt personally, but the people who encouraged it were those who were in positions of power. Both at government level and more local level. And the boomers just lapped it all up because those people were telling them it was good. I do think there was a lot of thoughtlessness, but often because others were doing the thinking for them and telling them it was all okay (and was all going to be okay in the future).

Look now how the tables have turned with those in any position of power - all those in power now want is austerity and your friendly bank manager for example is not so friendly anymore as he/she doesn't want to lend to you because you might be a risk.

As for us then being landed with a huge increase in pension costs, a huge increase in health care costs and a massive drop in tax revenue - they will let it run for a while to see how we all cope but maybe then after a while they will bail us out like they seem to do everyone else.

But how far can their ignorance be accepted as an excuse? It doesn't help us or reduce the absolutely massive burden we now have to bare and whatever their intentions or beliefs they were the ones who lapped up all the wonderful things and we are the ones who have to pay for it, they should be the ones having their services cut and having to deal with the financial consequences not us.

We don't need bailing out and we will manage but we will forever be burdened with the financial debt of the previous generation, they screwed us plain and simple. The worst part is that they don't even care, any talk of cutting costs focused towards the elderly is met with a torrent of condemnation and no one can do anything because there are so many in the baby boomer generation which results in what we want being pushed aside on the democratic stage.

[Mad Vlad]

(Original post by ufo2012)
So there was already a thread previously about this, but I wanted to approach this in a different way than the other thread.

Question here is:
Do you think you are a part of the Lost Generation?

For example:
-Are you still living at home with parents yet over 25 / want to move out but can't?
-Struggling to fund your own education?
-Trying to get into uni but can't (yet you could have easily a few years ago)?
-Difficult to find yourself a job if you are out of education now?
-Working in a job but it is way beneath what you are qualified for?
-You feel stuck where you are at and cannot move on?

Do you feel a part of the Lost Generation or feel that you have escaped it?

I went from a point where I had been thrown out by my dad and stepmum when I was 19 after largely failing my A-Levels and wasting a year of my life failing my first year at uni. I had no money, I had nowhere really to go. I got myself a place, went out and found myself a full time job. Cleared my debts and saved up. Couple of years later, went to a fairly low order ex poly, graduated with a first class degree and have earned myself a fantastic job working for the top company in my field, forging a career in exactly what I want to do. I did this with no government assistance (except for student loans etc. of course) and no help from my family. The only people who get "lost" are those who choose not to stand up for themselves and work hard. The opportunity is there; you just have to go and fight for it.

Young people are often too afraid of a bit of graft and sacrifice. It's too easy to blame the government sometimes.

[ufo2012]

(Original post by Darth Stewie)
But how far can their ignorance be accepted as an excuse? It doesn't help us or reduce the absolutely massive burden we now have to bare and whatever their intentions or beliefs they were the ones who lapped up all the wonderful things and we are the ones who have to pay for it, they should be the ones having their services cut and having to deal with the financial consequences not us.

We don't need bailing out and we will manage but we will forever be burdened with the financial debt of the previous generation, they screwed us plain and simple. The worst part is that they don't even care, any talk of cutting costs focused towards the elderly is met with a torrent of condemnation and no one can do anything because there are so many in the baby boomer generation which results in what we want being pushed aside on the democratic stage.

I know, that's why I said in my post "I do think there was a lot of thoughtlessness, but often because others were doing the thinking for them and telling them it was all okay..."

There was a lot of this attitude going around before the recession.

Just remember how much they were pushing how it important it was to get into the housing market at that time (and anyone who believed their nonsense is now possibly in negative equity as a result of that). On the other hand, some of the boomers were those who OWNED the houses and were selling them at massive profits, so they, indeed, are just as much to blame. But this is SOME of the boomers, not all.


For their thoughtlessness, greediness and self-serving attitudes, yes they should suffer. But the banks should suffer more. The big banks should be punished to the greatest extent possible and yet to this day they still go about their merry business as if nothing ever happened.

I recall reading (and on more than occasion and in more than one report), the highest debt accrued per head is actually in this generation. Those who are older did not always have such debt so easily available to them. Although they had credit available, the era of easy credit was not so prevalent in their day.

Before the recession, when times were good, even a student could have collected a handful of credit cards that enabled them to have around £50,000 in credit if they wanted it. But that is because banks were so totally reckless because they realised that for them big debt means big business.

So there are problems with every generation, I just wouldn't specifically reserve my hatred for the boomers - they are only part of a larger problem.

(Original post by Mad Vlad)
Couple of years later, went to a fairly low order ex poly, graduated with a first class degree and have earned myself a fantastic job working for the top company in my field, forging a career in exactly what I want to do.

Can I ask, what year exactly was it that you began working for the company?

[Mad Vlad]

(Original post by ufo2012)
I know, that's why I said in my post "I do think there was a lot of thoughtlessness, but often because others were doing the thinking for them and telling them it was all okay..."

There was a lot of this attitude going around before the recession.

Just remember how much they were pushing how it important it was to get into the housing market at that time (and anyone who believed their nonsense is now possibly in negative equity as a result of that). On the other hand, some of the boomers were those who OWNED the houses and were selling them at massive profits, so they, indeed, are just as much to blame. But this is SOME of the boomers, not all.


For their thoughtlessness, greediness and self-serving attitudes, yes they should suffer. But the banks should suffer more. The big banks should be punished to the greatest extent possible and yet to this day they still go about their merry business as if nothing ever happened.

I recall reading (and on more than occasion and in more than one report), the highest debt accrued per head is actually in this generation. Those who are older did not always have such debt so easily available to them. Although they had credit available, the era of easy credit was not so prevalent in their day.

Before the recession, when times were good, even a student could have collected a handful of credit cards that enabled them to have around £50,000 in credit if they wanted it. But that is because banks were so totally reckless because they realised that for them big debt means big business.

So there are problems with every generation, I just wouldn't specifically reserve my hatred for the boomers - they are only part of a larger problem.



Can I ask, what year exactly was it that you began working for the company?

3 Months ago. Before that, I'd worked my way up from being a picker packer in a warehouse 5 nights a week - a job I took to pay the bills, to being promoted to become a supervisor (while still at uni) and then becoming a senior manager being jointly responsible for 330 managers and workers, equating to about £6.2m a year of labour and the safe and effective operation of a 560,000 sq ft warehouse, within 2 years, while studying full time. I left because I'd been offered this position at my current employer.

[ufo2012]

(Original post by Mad Vlad)
3 Months ago.

That definitely deserves a

[Mad Vlad]

(Original post by ufo2012)
That definitely deserves a

Thank you. The sacrifices I made during that period were pretty enormous, but the payoff has been well worth it.

Anyone can achieve their goals if they work hard enough at it.

[Herr]

Many people say those of us who were born in the late 70s and early-mid 80s were the lost generation, the reality of it is you are no lost generation, all you need to do is get up and do something about it.

I don't think anyone in UK even at this time is in reality going through a loss generation, it's all about choices and the stark reality of it is no one loses out by not going to university because they cannot afford it.

Uni places, it has never been easier tbh especially looking at the current crop that gets into uni.

Moving out....... well long ago if you couldn't afford it you didn't whine about it.

[ufo2012]

(Original post by Herr)
Many people say those of us who were born in the late 70s and early-mid 80s were the lost generation, the reality of it is you are no lost generation, all you need to do is get up and do something about it.

I don't think anyone in UK even at this time is in reality going through a loss generation, it's all about choices and the stark reality of it is no one loses out by not going to university because they cannot afford it.

Uni places, it has never been easier tbh especially looking at the current crop that gets into uni.

Moving out....... well long ago if you couldn't afford it you didn't whine about it.

"Were" the lost generation? At what point in time exactly?

It is sweeping to say get up and do something about it, although some people may try to do this but still can't seem to get anywhere.

Only the second poster in said he felt completely lost and stuck but had to keep trying to move forward. So there obviously is a problem.

Can you explain more what you meant by "it's all about choices" ?