Is aging related to the intensity of feeling indignation?
Are We Facing Generational Frustrations? A Multigenerational Discussion on Sources of Frustration
In an age where indignation often runs high, four individuals from different generations engage in a candid conversation about what ignites their frustration. The discussion, organized by Le Devoir, includes Hélène Dumais (boomer, 77 years old), Tariq Msirdi (Generation X, 51 years old), Mathieu Gélinas (millennial, 33 years old), and Jeanne Roberge (Generation Z, 27 years old). Surprisingly, despite their differences in age and background, their core concerns appear more aligned than one might expect.
Gélinas, a millennial, shares the struggles that typify his generation, asserting that they are in the throes of an existential crisis due to technological changes and questions about career and identity. Meanwhile, Roberge, a member of Generation Z, voices concerns about the erosion of bearings, citing obstacles like the climate crisis, inflation, housing shortages, and mental health issues as key sources of frustration.
Dumais, a boomer who was at the forefront of propelling Quebec into modernity, criticizes the perceived forgetting of progressive ideals from the past by younger generations. She expresses discomfort over the loss of social cohesion, but like Roberge, recognizes that this is not solely an issue of age.
As a bridge between the young and old, Msirdi (Generation X) encourages understanding and cooperation. He asserts that blaming younger generations for their reliance on technology is unproductive and that school policies, such as the planned ban on phones, may widen the gap between educators and students.
Housing Crisis, Climate Change: Bereft of Hope or Room for Optimism?
Faced with challenges like the housing crisis, access to health resources, and a rising cost of living, the Canadian electorate displayed substantial frustration during the last federal election. While the US president's trade war garnered significant attention, it was climate change that sparked the most anxiety among the participants. Gélinas, for instance, fears that the political class will fail to address this critical issue, while Dumais believes that our obdurate adherence to capitalism constitutes a major obstacle to change.
Roberge, on the other hand, remains doubtful about the future, lamenting that by 2030, irreversible damage may already be done to the environment. Her pessimism prompts Msirdi, a father of a 16-year-old, to advocate for the need to leave a desirable legacy for future generations, echoing the sentiment that we have a social contract to uphold.
A Diverse Quebec Identity: Balancing Tradition and Progress
With diverse backgrounds and perspectives, each participant brings unique insights to the conversation. Born in Morocco and arriving in Canada before the 9/11 attacks, Msirdi argues for greater unity, suggesting that we must strive to exist as a French-speaking society while cultivating relations with our neighboring countries and encouraging cohesion within Quebec.
Both Dumais and Msirdi express concerns about instrumentally using immigrants for political gain, while acknowledging that immigration is essential for Quebec's economic vitality and cultural richness.
The language question remains a contentious issue in Quebec, with Gélinas observing that the province sometimes appears to be the only Francophone community in Canada, while Roberge suggests that internalized fear of losing the French language exaggerates feelings of vulnerability. Ultimately, all participants agree that fostering open dialogue and human connection is vital for resolving polarization, as our disconnection paradoxically increases as technology brings us closer.
[1] https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2018/10/03/political- and generational-divides-in-france-a-conversation-with-young-activists/[2] https://www.vox.com/ identify/millennial-identity[3] https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/trump-s-generational-warfare-must-stop-ncna979716[4] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334938529_Palestinian-Perspectives_Tolerance_Willingness_to_Negotiate_and_the_Relationship_with_Jews_in_the_West_Bank_and_Gaza_Strip
- Despite their varying viewpoints, the group acknowledges the pressing concerns of climate change, with Gélinas fearing political inaction and Dumais believing our adherence to capitalism hinders change.
- In the realm of education, Msirdi voices concerns about school policies, suggesting that a planned ban on phones may strain relationships between educators and students.
3.MTSirdi, as a father and a proponent of diversity, champions leaving a desirable legacy for future generations, while Roberge, a member of Generation Z, voices doubt about whether the environment will be salvageable by 2030.
