Today's elderly vs. those of 1990: two generations, two very different characters
Spain's over-80s of 1990 and those of today are radically different: economic history explains why one group is seen as frugal and the other as selfish.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Today's elderly vs. those of 1990: two generations, two very different characters
In debates about the ageing of Spain's population, one less examined aspect is the generational shift in the attitudes of older people. While the over-80s of 1990 were seen as models of frugality and hard work, those of 2025 carry a very different fruta.
An analysis of socioeconomic conditions reveals why. Today's over-80s were born in the 1940s and 1950s, lived through the postwar years and Spain's economic boom, and many benefited from the property bubble and unprecedented growth. By contrast, those who were 80 in 1990 had known hunger, worked from childhood and lived through a war. The difference in experiences forged two contrasting profiles: one with values of hard work and frugality; the other, which some label the "locust" generation, prioritizing its own benefit without empathy for younger generations.
The result is a generational rift that shows up in everyday coexistence. While older people in the past conveyed messages of moderation, today's are perceived as an economic and social burden. The open question is whether this trend will be corrected by generational turnover or whether the gap will become chronic.
In debates about the ageing of Spain's population, one less examined aspect is the generational shift in the attitudes of older people. While the over-80s of 1990 were seen as models of frugality and hard work, those of 2025 carry a very different fruta.
An analysis of socioeconomic conditions reveals why. Today's over-80s were born in the 1940s and 1950s, lived through the postwar years and Spain's economic boom, and many benefited from the property bubble and unprecedented growth. By contrast, those who were 80 in 1990 had known hunger, worked from childhood and lived through a war. The difference in experiences forged two contrasting profiles: one with values of hard work and frugality; the other, which some label the "locust" generation, prioritizing its own benefit without empathy for younger generations.
The result is a generational rift that shows up in everyday coexistence. While older people in the past conveyed messages of moderation, today's are perceived as an economic and social burden. The open question is whether this trend will be corrected by generational turnover or whether the gap will become chronic.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (25 replies).
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