From “snowflake generation” to “agents of social change”: Recognizing the voice of Spanish young people in the post-pandemic era

Abstract

This article uses 60 in-depth interviews with young Spanish people and contributes to studies on youth geographies of future in post-pandemic. The paper gives young people a voice by analysing two interlinked concepts: (l) the “snowflake generation” – “generación de cristal” – which was popularized in Spain as a fragile and insecure generation and consequently exhibiting a lack of tolerance and frustration in the face of unachieved goals; and (2) “agents of change”, included on broader perspectives of youth activism, meaning a generation motivated by the desire to construct a regenerated post-pandemic society. My hypothesis is that the fragility of the younger generation after the pandemic has transformed over time into an aspiration and motivation to become agents of social change. The findings highlight that young people are using their technological knowledge and resilience to overcome fragility, participating and demanding recognition of their criticisms and perceptions of injustice. The conclusions offer a better understanding of young people and their capacity to be responsible and innovative, converting weakness into strength. They show the need to advance theoretical and empirical understanding of younger perspectives in relation to how they want to change and make a greater contribution to future society.