More and more young people are extending their studies well into their late twenties, delaying their entry into the job market compared to previous generations. The subtle pressure to pursue a master’s degree after completing a bachelor’s program stretches university life even further. Some students try to support themselves through temporary or part-time work instead.
Others focus on securing a position within the academic field they trained for, starting a long cycle of internships until an organization finally offers a formal contract.
Recognizing the challenges companies face in finding immediately usable, qualified labor, economist Gonzalo Bernardos has criticized this youthful mindset, arguing that many show little willingness to work.
“There are twenty-somethings, twenty-five, twenty-seven years old, who say they won’t work now and will live the life, collect experiences. There is a swarm of people at these ages moving through different capitals of the world, wandering without doing anything,” warned the professor from the University of Barcelona to this group.
Nevertheless, Bernardos pointed directly to the parents of these young people as the main culprits behind this trend in Spain and other European countries. “The youth do not pay for much. It is the parents who cover everything, maintaining this spectacular lifestyle,” he concluded on the 8TV Catalonia program.
Reactions
The controversial video quickly went viral on Instagram, reaching around half a million views. Many young people challenged Bernardos for his remarks, saying the situation does not reflect the whole youth population. “It is not all young people. It is the youth of affluent families who live off a cushion because they attend better schools and universities,” commented a user named rubens90.
In the end, the discussion highlights a real debate about career pathways, social expectations, and the costs of delaying entry into the labor market. The conversation continues as more voices share their experiences about internships, graduate programs, and the pressure to balance education with early work experience.