The syndrome of youth

The youth shows signs of discomfort increasingly conspicuous. Protests and rebellions alternate with waves of urban violence. In Europe and beyond. He wrote Bernardo Valli in recent days on these pages, to explain the collapse of the regime in Tunisia. "The youth-aimed wrote Valli-are powerful detonators which can impose political change." Even if the tensions expressed by the young people do not reveal common themes expressed by specific components.

Drawing, instead, a composite scene. More than a movement indicate, perhaps, a "syndrome". A malaise that has different symptoms of different origin. With a common face, recognizable by age. Young, sometimes very young. The episodes that make up the syndrome youth "are numerous and varied.

For context, content and pattern of action. As we isolate some particularly well known. There are, first, the student revolts. This was followed in several European countries, with sudden flashes. In Greece in 2008, after the death of a young boy following clashes with police. In recent months, after the operation of government to respond to financial and economic crisis.

Adapting to the conditions imposed by the EU. In England, last month, after the government's decision to increase tuition fees in universities, a real guerrilla war has exploded. Tens of thousands of students, flanked by his parents, have transformed the spaces around the House of Commons and Westminster in a battlefield.

In France for years that students exhibit. In 2006, against the law which established the "first job contract". Last fall: against the reform that raises the retirement age. Were mobilized en masse, throughout France. The student protest has also invested in Spain in support of the strike called by workers against the miserable state of the labor market and cuts in social spending.

This key should also be seen that the demonstrations were held in Italy last autumn against the Gelmini reform. Brought by students and researchers. But the syndrome has not only affected juvenile schools and students. The mark also the riots that burned (literally) the suburbs of Paris in 2005 - and beyond.

Starring: not students, but teenagers fringe of African and Maghreb. Finally, it should also be considered what is taking place in Tunisia. Where the regime led by Ben Ali collapsed suddenly under the pressure of a revolt that has social reasons, economic and political depth. Triggered by the desperate act of a young 26 year old Mohammed Bouaziz, a graduate in economics, walking occasionally.

Set himself on fire to protest the seizure of his feast of fruit and vegetables. And young people, students are an important part, perhaps the majority, of the mobilization that has spread in the country. Spreading to neighboring Algeria, dragged, even there, by young people. Different contexts, different motives, different objectives.

A common connotation of generations. Marked by common problems. Unemployment, first of all. Affects 40% of young people (15-24 years) in Spain, 20% in the Paris area, 25% in that of London. And 29% in Italy, but 10 percentage points higher in the South. In Tunisia - still remembered Bernardo Valli - 72% of the unemployed are under 29 years.

Morocco: 62%. In Algeria: 75%. Everywhere, young people, has become the normal insecurity. In Italy, more than 2 million young people do not study and do not work (Istat). They are there on the edge, waiting for something to happen. And while they work and informal jobs, as well as temporary.

It is said, with a little 'rhetoric, that young people are victims of a "theft of the future." True, but not enough. Furthermore, the future is heavily consumed by this. Unemployment and precariousness of today seem endless. In-finite. Moreover, society, politics, the adults do not offer more models, or references.

The value systems, organizations of political representation, the first parties. Are in crisis. Prevail, however, the logic of marketing, media. Crushing the horizon on this. Indeed, the "newspaper". So you say feelings of distrust and disappointment. Or, conversely, spread the key proposals.

Because they give meaning to the malaise, the protest. But the question of identity and recognition. In this syndrome contributes towards reducing the intolerance of the public, particularly - but not only - in schools and universities. Young people fear the decline of the welfare state and providential - and thus the weakening - further guarantees for "their" future.

Difficult to explain to them that the cuts and reforms needed to remedy the damage caused by older people. Difficult to ask them to take charge of global competition. Thinking in key future if the future - for them - no longer exists. It has been abolished. Hence the difference from other, earlier waves of protest.

Sixty-eight, in particular. It was an anti-authoritarian. Design. Today, however, the youth protest reflects a state of necessity. Even in Italy, where only 10% of the population between 15 and 24 years (in Tunisia is 25%). Their protest is a form of self-defense. Is to reveal to the world that they exist.

Moreover, young Italians are largely a-ideological. However, further to the right of their parents (socialized around Sixty-eight). They do not believe in political parties and even in Parliament. I am president. On the other hand, grew up in the era of B., League and personal parties. Communists and Christian Democrats, for them, words are in-significant.

When they are born, the Berlin Wall had fallen. Or was about to collapse. They are the boys of the Second Republic. A generation im-mediate. Still a little self-conscious. Do not believe in mediation and is used to deal with the immediate present. These young people are responsive, ready to experiment with old and new forms of participation.

To their families, protect them, but at the same time, keep them on probation. One condition - apparently - comfortable. In reality, frustrating and increasingly difficult to bear. A (by) which the young people hope (s) escape. Sooner or later they will explode too.

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