Emotional self-reliance runs deep in Buenos Aires's outskirts

A pervasive sense of disillusionment with politics and a profound reliance on self-sufficiency characterize the sentiment among young people in Buenos Aires's sprawling suburbs. Many feel abandoned by the state and its representatives, believing that only their own hard work can secure their future.

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[Politics], I don't give a damn about it. I don't care. I tell you the truth, I don't even care about the president we have today. As long as I have my house, my family, and the strength to go out every day with a cart and bring money home, I'm fine. I don't depend on the president, on politics, on anyone; I depend on myself. They don't serve any function for me, or anything.

"Politics, I don't give a damn about it. I don't care. I tell you the truth, I don't even care about the president we have today," said Matías, 19, from the Mitre neighborhood in San Miguel. "As long as I have my house, my family, and the strength to go out every day with a cart and bring money home, I'm fine. I don't depend on the president, on politics, on anyone; I depend on myself."

This sentiment suggests a breakdown of the traditional welfare state narrative, particularly within Peronism. However, even President Javier Milei's individualistic message doesn't fully resonate. Instead, young people primarily see themselves as their own saviors, with Milei being a mere circumstance. There's a notable absence of revolutionary fervor, and the memory of the 2001 crisis feels distant. A resigned "every man for himself" attitude prevails, overshadowing any notion of community-based solutions.

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Milei gives me nothing; I'm the one who sweats my jersey, fights for my future because no one will fight for me. I only have myself.

Testimonies like Gio's (23, Quilmes), who stated, "Milei gives me nothing; I'm the one who sweats my jersey, fights for my future because no one will fight for me. I only have myself," and Thiago's (21, San Miguel), who believes, "I need, more than anything, to agree with myself to give my maximum effort because I can't expect anything from a politician... only from myself," underscore this deep-seated individualism.

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I need, more than anything, to agree with myself to give my maximum effort. Because I can't expect anything from a politician. Much less can I expect from my family or friends. Only from me, I only have myself.

These reflections stem from a comprehensive survey conducted by CIAS among 964 young people aged 16 to 24 in popular neighborhoods of Buenos Aires and its outskirts between May and June. The study highlights a grim reality for these individuals, who are bearing the brunt of economic adjustments and a lack of recovery, facing the worst outcomes in terms of income and job opportunities within the most disadvantaged sectors.

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I don't trust anyone, I trust myself. I don't expect anything from others.