Greece’s unemployment crisis has had a profound impact on young professionals across the
country and has turned into a major personal, political, educational, and relational challenge
for this so-called ‘lost generation’. Joblessness among young people is at historic highs,
forcing many of them to leave the country in search of jobs abroad, to seek ‘subsidized
employment’ and accept underpaid or ‘uninsured’ work that often has little to do with their
education and skills. More importantly, they are often forced to readjust expectations for
their future. Seven graduates participated in a focus group, wrote, and shared letters from the
future. Analysis of these data revealed a breach between a present self (we) featuring
individualistic, competitive and self-enhancement values and denouncing such values and
ways of being. This contrasted with future relational self (I) with hopes for marital and
family equilibrium; a return to traditional values constituting a reflexive ‘I’. There was very
little focus on a ‘we’ narrative regarding jobs and collective futures, solidarity, or change.
This lack of political voice and solidarity can easily lead to a passive acceptance, apathy, and
waiting list positioning. Discussion focuses on what this positioning signifies for
employability, collective/political, and mental health outcomes.
(EN)
University of Crete
