Comparing Different European Situations

Comparing different European situations

Comparing to other European countries, youngsters in Spain are one of the last to get independence. Nowadays youngsters still living with their parents until at age of twentiesor thirties.

The main problems are:

Weak economy.

An unstable job.

Buildings prices speculation

Now, the Europe’s life is more expensive than in the 2000 year. And the purchasing power has decreased considerably increasing the differences between the social classes.

Building prices are still increasing fast every year as a crazy market full of speculation that only can pay a percentage of people. Or people who decided to make a mortgage for the next twenty or thirty years. Accepting that their live will be pressured for the family economy losing freedom.

An important thing we mustn’t forget is that the age of the youngsters is full of changes cause they are building their personality. Everything counts and affects in every decision they take.

Most of youngsters are studying until finishing the compulsory secondary school called ESO (Secondary Compulsory School) at the age of sixteen years old. Then you have the possibility to study a couple extra years. But youngsters don’t receive any help from the government to get early independence during their studies.

When secondary school is finished and you decide to go to the university there is a high percentage of students that are sharing flat and overheads.

Probably this means that a lot of them must combine university studies and work some hours in order to survive in the big edge jungle.

Our country is not like Germany, where the government gives more facilities and pays an amount of monthly money until 18 years old. Giving the chance to pay it back when you are older and you have a job.

Speaking about living in a flat, a lot of young people who are not living in a big city like Barcelona are more able to decide to buy a flat depending on their salary. Which is not so common in Germany. Most of the people must rent or share a flat.

The only help from the government is when someone wants to rent a flat and you are younger than thirty and your salary is not so high.

My point of view from getting independence is that we are living in the chaos and everyone survive as it can.

European Parliament should realise and analyse the differences between the European countries of get independence from home integrate a common youngsters help project.

Àlex Mañé

Vilafranca del Penedès

February 2004