Civil Unrest in Quebec

[Grey Fox]

There is another angle to it - as I said above, it is my impression that while money was the trigger, what is really fueling the protest is a larger issue; and that is that university students (particularly humanities students) feel a sense that they don't have much of a future.

Oh, I don't doubt it.  Life prospects are worse for tones of people under 30 compared to their parents' generation - and I'd also say the diminished prospects includes (even more so, arguably) working class people, not just those with university degrees.  I have considerable sympathy for that viewpoint and frustration with the current state of affairs.  Add into that mix increasing anger with the political and especially the economic elites, and a boiling over becomes more understandable.

On the other hand, the tuition is already so incredibly modest and the increases each year so small that it's hard to feel sympathy for them, especially when the low tuition (like many other Quebec services) is partly being paid for by others.  In that way, it has a parallel with the Greek situation - yes the situation is shittier now than it was, say, 20 years ago, and I can understand the frustration with that.... but with everyone tightening their belts, why should you continue to get a free ride at the expense of those who've already tightened theirs?  Also, the actions of the protesters themselves are quite distasteful, although that's likely because protests are just often unfocused and led by assholes.

Anyway, the problems are, as you say, systemic and protesting likely won't achieve anything.  In the end, all I can say as I wish I had been born a Boomer.   

Because the boomers are forgetting to tight their own belts. See the raise of retirement age in 2023 instead of right now!

[Malthus]

Oh, I don't doubt it.  Life prospects are worse for tones of people under 30 compared to their parents' generation - and I'd also say the diminished prospects includes (even more so, arguably) working class people, not just those with university degrees.

Therein lies part of the problem - the notion that a university degree is a sign of not being "working class", or worse, an entitlement (at public expense) of the non-working class.

When the percentage of people with degrees approaches 50%, this starts to look like Lake Wobegon - you know, the place where everyone is above average. 

This is compounded when getting a degree simply doesn't deliver the middle-class status that was advertised (if not explicitly, then by implication).

I have considerable sympathy for that viewpoint and frustration with the current state of affairs.  Add into that mix increasing anger with the political and especially the economic elites, and a boiling over becomes more understandable.

On the other hand, the tuition is already so incredibly modest and the increases each year so small that it's hard to feel sympathy for them, especially when the low tuition (like many other Quebec services) is partly being paid for by others.  In that way, it has a parallel with the Greek situation - yes the situation is shittier now than it was, say, 20 years ago, and I can understand the frustration with that.... but with everyone tightening their belts, why should you continue to get a free ride at the expense of those who've already tightened theirs?  Also, the actions of the protesters themselves are quite distasteful, although that's likely because protests are just often unfocused and led by assholes.

Anyway, the problems are, as you say, systemic and protesting likely won't achieve anything.  In the end, all I can say as I wish I had been born a Boomer.   

Oh, I agree. It can be very annoying seeing people protest about not being subsidized by others sufficiently. What is worse is that the more a university education becomes accessible to all for low cost, the less a degree will be worth to those who get it, making the systemic problem worse.

[Barrister]

You know I have several thoughts about the situation in Quebec, but in the end I don't think I'm fully informed enough to really put them down in writing, so to speak.

As for the value of a university education, if I was giving advice to an 18 year old it would be to go to trade school.

[Valmy]

As for the value of a university education, if I was giving advice to an 18 year old it would be to go to trade school.

I think these days kids coming out of High School have to be really focussed on getting work.  The days of delaying adulthood, at least in the workplace, are coming to an end.

[Malthus]

You know I have several thoughts about the situation in Quebec, but in the end I don't think I'm fully informed enough to really put them down in writing, so to speak.

Since when has that ever stopped anyone on Languish?! 

As for the value of a university education, if I was giving advice to an 18 year old it would be to go to trade school.

Me too.

[Barrister]

As for the value of a university education, if I was giving advice to an 18 year old it would be to go to trade school.

I think these days kids coming out of High School have to be really focussed on getting work.  The days of delaying adulthood, at least in the workplace, are coming to an end.

Which may well be a good thing.  It's hitting me that in a few years I'll be 40 with two pre-schoolers running around to raise.

[11B4V]

As for the value of a university education, if I was giving advice to an 18 year old it would be to go to trade school.

I think these days kids coming out of High School have to be really focussed on getting work.  The days of delaying adulthood, at least in the workplace, are coming to an end.

Which may well be a good thing.  It's hitting me that in a few years I'll be 40 with two pre-schoolers running around to raise.

Your not alone. 46 and a first grader right now. When she graduates I'll be 58 and in no mood loafers.

[Admiral Yi]

Will your mood loafers not fit any more?

[11B4V]

Will your mood loafers not fit any more?

for loafers. 

[Grey Fox]

Sometimes I freak out realising when Ariel graduates high school I'll be 43. There is no good way, guys.

[Barrister]

Sometimes I freak out realising when Ariel graduates high school I'll be 43. There is no good way, guys.

Well you want to avoid being in the situation where you want to retire, but are still supporting kids in high school or university.

[Grallon]

...Ain't no way I'm getting my car vandalized or breath tear gaz for fun.

...

this is the problem of Montreal, always taking the streets for anything.

...

Christ you can be so provincial!




G.

[MadImmortalMan]

Map of march route provided to police.

[viper37]

...Ain't no way I'm getting my car vandalized or breath tear gaz for fun.

...

this is the problem of Montreal, always taking the streets for anything.

...

Christ you can be so provincial!




G.

Yes, I am provincial.  In a weird, silly way, I always thought we built paved roads for cars to ride on.  I don't know where I got that idea from.

[Syt]

  @ map