Generational class conflict
A book featuring an unconventional analysis of the (complex) relations between different generations
A clash between social classes is an old model of the social and productive structure which, though still valid in many respects, is joined (not replaced) by another model of conflict: between classes of generations. These classes carry with them different visions of life, work, production, being together, different world views, cultures that are often light years apart. That includes their understanding of life goals, and how to achieve them.
Beniamino Pagliaro – journalist and keen observer of reality – turns his attention to these knotty issues (of which there are many in this case) in his Boomers contro millennials. Sette bugie sul futuro e come iniziare a cambiare (Boomers vs millennials: 7 lies about the future and how to start changing). It’s a kind of journey, or rather a whirlwind rush, through the contradictions and conflicts in the relationships between different generations. It’s a relationship composed of illusions and lies (as the book’s subtitle suggests), of unsuccessful prospects and others never seized upon, of economic fantasies and of tough realities.
The account takes seven common clichés among the generations into consideration – seven lies. From “study hard and everything will be fine” to “if you work properly you’ll soon be able to afford a house”, and from “politicians will pay attention to young people” to “this is how we always do it now; it’s too late to change”. Pagliaro describes the problems that recent generations have had to face, from contracts with fewer safeguards to phantom, highly theoretical pensions, with the ever-present certainty of ending up – for the first time in more than a century – poorer than your parents. This is how, with a light touch, the author addresses some of today’s big issues. Indeed, there’s more than one reason that so-called ‘young people’ – a concept used glibly, now covering two and a half generations – are finding it harder to establish careers, starting families later and no longer buying houses and are living with a growing concern, verging on obsession, with the climate emergency.
Pagliaro doesn’t merely ‘denounce’ a situation that has now reached a critical juncture, however. The book instead proposes top open a front for dialogue: because interaction between the current ruling class, of baby boomers, and the future ruling class, represented by millennials, can no longer be limited to unending conflict. We need to stop talking about blame, and instead find, once for all, not a scapegoat but solutions to urgent, current problems. It’s a path fraught with difficulties, which certainly can’t simply be overcome by a journalist, but he makes a substantial contribution to doing so by speaking clearly and intelligibly.
Beniamino Pagliaro’s book talks of the recent past, the present and above all the future, an account that serves to start overcoming clichés and healing unhealthy habits rooted in our culture. It’s a good book, one to read and discuss – perhaps even with the author.
Boomers contro millennials. Sette bugie sul futuro e come iniziare a cambiare
Beniamino Pagliaro
HarperCollins, 2023
A book featuring an unconventional analysis of the (complex) relations between different generations
A clash between social classes is an old model of the social and productive structure which, though still valid in many respects, is joined (not replaced) by another model of conflict: between classes of generations. These classes carry with them different visions of life, work, production, being together, different world views, cultures that are often light years apart. That includes their understanding of life goals, and how to achieve them.
Beniamino Pagliaro – journalist and keen observer of reality – turns his attention to these knotty issues (of which there are many in this case) in his Boomers contro millennials. Sette bugie sul futuro e come iniziare a cambiare (Boomers vs millennials: 7 lies about the future and how to start changing). It’s a kind of journey, or rather a whirlwind rush, through the contradictions and conflicts in the relationships between different generations. It’s a relationship composed of illusions and lies (as the book’s subtitle suggests), of unsuccessful prospects and others never seized upon, of economic fantasies and of tough realities.
The account takes seven common clichés among the generations into consideration – seven lies. From “study hard and everything will be fine” to “if you work properly you’ll soon be able to afford a house”, and from “politicians will pay attention to young people” to “this is how we always do it now; it’s too late to change”. Pagliaro describes the problems that recent generations have had to face, from contracts with fewer safeguards to phantom, highly theoretical pensions, with the ever-present certainty of ending up – for the first time in more than a century – poorer than your parents. This is how, with a light touch, the author addresses some of today’s big issues. Indeed, there’s more than one reason that so-called ‘young people’ – a concept used glibly, now covering two and a half generations – are finding it harder to establish careers, starting families later and no longer buying houses and are living with a growing concern, verging on obsession, with the climate emergency.
Pagliaro doesn’t merely ‘denounce’ a situation that has now reached a critical juncture, however. The book instead proposes top open a front for dialogue: because interaction between the current ruling class, of baby boomers, and the future ruling class, represented by millennials, can no longer be limited to unending conflict. We need to stop talking about blame, and instead find, once for all, not a scapegoat but solutions to urgent, current problems. It’s a path fraught with difficulties, which certainly can’t simply be overcome by a journalist, but he makes a substantial contribution to doing so by speaking clearly and intelligibly.
Beniamino Pagliaro’s book talks of the recent past, the present and above all the future, an account that serves to start overcoming clichés and healing unhealthy habits rooted in our culture. It’s a good book, one to read and discuss – perhaps even with the author.
Boomers contro millennials. Sette bugie sul futuro e come iniziare a cambiare
Beniamino Pagliaro
HarperCollins, 2023