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spain ⁤Faces a⁣ Youth Unhappiness ⁤Crisis Fueled by Inequality and Isolation

Madrid, Spain – A⁢ growing sense of disillusionment and unhappiness is gripping young ‌people in spain, a⁢ nation grappling with stark economic⁣ inequality and diminishing ⁣opportunities for social​ mobility, according to a recent surge‍ of analysis from experts and ⁣a heated‌ national debate. Despite ⁣being one of the wealthiest countries in the⁢ OECD, Spain exhibits some ‌of⁢ the lowest rates of ⁣social mobility, with over 35% of income inequality attributed to background factors – primarily parental ⁤socioeconomic ⁣status.

This lack ‌of prospect is fostering a “light‌ nihilism” among ⁢new generations,explains psychologist⁣ Patricia Castro,who notes a loss of faith in the‌ possibility of creating a better future. “Moreover, society makes them feel that the responsibility for their precarious situation⁤ lies with them. It’s a kind of‍ inward self-destruction: you blame ⁣yourself for your situation,” she stated.

The crisis is compounded by‍ increasing​ social atomization, ⁢leaving young people feeling disconnected and unable ‍to effect change collectively.‍ Castro observes a​ societal tendency to unfairly judge younger generations – criticizing​ their technology use, financial struggles, and ⁣even a recent ⁢shift ⁢towards conservatism – “People who‍ haven’t even had ‍the opportunity to screw up have⁤ been blamed.”

Experts are‍ urgently seeking solutions. A critical need is expanded access to mental health services, currently ‌severely lacking ​in Spain. The White Paper on Psychiatry in Spain, published by the Spanish Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health (SEPSM), ​reveals only 10‍ mental⁤ health professionals are available for every 100,000 children under 14 – a rate significantly lower⁤ than​ in comparable nations.

Beyond mental healthcare, solutions proposed include ‌delaying access to social media until age 14,⁢ as suggested⁤ by Jonathan Haidt, who ⁢also warns of the potential​ harms ⁣of ⁣emerging artificial intelligence. Improving economic ‌conditions,notably in the areas of employment​ and housing,is⁤ also considered vital.

However, strengthening ‌social ⁢connections remains a⁢ central focus. ‍”Not‌ all of us are⁢ going to have the job of our dreams or live in the city centre, but there‍ is‌ no ⁤shortage⁣ of people in the ⁤world,” Castro ‍emphasizes. ⁢

Literature professor Jesús G. Maestro offers ​a ⁣more philosophical remedy, suggesting young people read Don Quixote as a lesson ‌in the realities of idealism. he concludes with a stark warning: “If you don’t⁤ take care of young people, you ruin the future of society.”