Generation conflict: Does the state not care about the youth? That's not true at all!

A prevailing sentiment among young Germans suggests they are a "forgotten generation," facing significant challenges that politicians allegedly ignore. High shared-housing (WG) rents and inadequate student financial aid, known as Bafög, are frequently cited issues. Compounding this is a general disinterest in military conflict, a sentiment widely shared among peers.

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The WG rents are high. The Bafög is not enough for many. And hardly anyone wishes to go to war. But does that make us a forgotten generation? That's exactly what I hear and read everywhere right now.

This narrative, often seen on platforms like zeit.de and in Instagram captions, paints a picture of neglect, where young people feel their concerns are dismissed. Many friends of the author share this feeling of being overlooked and underserved by the political establishment. The recurring theme is that the current situation for young people is dire, and the system is failing them.

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Politics doesn't give a damn about the youth. Nothing is being done for young people. That's what it says on zeit.de and in Instagram captions. Many of my friends feel this way.

However, the author poses a critical question: could this narrative of victimhood be a way to absolve themselves of the responsibility to take action? By focusing on external factors and perceived political indifference, the author wonders if young people are avoiding the call to become more actively involved in shaping their own future and addressing the issues they face. The piece invites a re-evaluation of this widely held perspective, suggesting a need for greater self-initiative.

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It's always the same story: We neglected young people are doing so badly. I wonder if we're not telling ourselves something to free ourselves from the responsibility to become active ourselves.