By virtue of article 20 of the Spanish Constitution of 1978, which regulates the right to freedom of expression, I proceed to reflect on the educational system in Spanish territory. I am not a specialist in teaching, but I am the main person affected in the intricate social context that frames young people in a fearful process of institutionalization and precariousness. However, let's start at the beginning. I will address two aspects.
First, we have all witnessed in recent days the approval by the Government of the Region of Murcia of a measure as necessary as it is pragmatic for the new generations - understand the sarcasm. The motion approved and presented by VOX stating that public schools must open their doors to the sound of the Nation's anthem - as a memorable single for the new generations - and that all classrooms are decorated with the image of the Head of State, King Felipe VI, as well as placing flags in all those educational centers that lack the banner. All this, of course, in order to promote the so destroyed and boycotted Spanish territorial unity, so that young people can understand the importance of symbols in their education and value them.
Sometimes I find some of the rules contained in our country's political agenda childish and old-fashioned. Some years ago, a university professor told me that common sense is never the most common of senses. And how right he was. But well, back to what I was saying. The measure approved in Murcia highlights the distance between the real concerns and interests of the new generations and the mission of political representatives, who honor their position when they feel like it and how they feel like it. The best thing is that they argue as a basis "the protection for the defense and protection of national symbols". Honestly, do you think that by raising a flag, playing an anthem and putting a photo in the classroom, the new generations will grow up aware of the values, principles and difficulties that make up the Spanish latitude? I leave the answer to your mercy.
I don't know if you are a little aware of the current situation in the social context of young people, or if you live in a parallel reality, but it is still worth reviewing it to assess whether what we really need is to reinforce the symbols of Spanish unity (or not). In our country, age discriminates against young people whenever it can. It is true that the possibilities that our predecessors had are not the same, they are better, although always perfectible.
All the measures that represent youth are social conventions, which respond to moments of conquest of rights, such as the 40-hour working week, the first time one has the capacity to vote set at 18 years, or 16 years as the legally established age to consent to a relationship of a sexual nature, are subject to revision when times change. And, indeed, times have changed. For this reason, I find it rude to have to read that it is the symbols or a flag that will feed us tomorrow, or allow us to become independent and have access to housing. Especially when Spain has alarming figures in relation to three criteria: the unemployment rate below 25 years is above 40%, a European record; the temporary employment rate is above 70% for the 16 to 24 age group and very low wages, considering that the average annual salary by age group, the lowest figure is for those who have not yet reached 20 years.
Young people are mistreated in Spain, as I pointed out earlier, and I emphasize it now, we have a highly dual and precarious labor market. The welfare model shared by European countries gives a central role to the family as a provider of protection. I don't think it should be like that for a simple reason, young people are subjects of law. For example, the vast majority of those who have not yet reached the age of 25 do not have access to either employment-related benefits or non-contributory social benefits. In fact, the new minimum living income, for example, sets the age limit at 23 years.
Not to mention the aid directly aimed at young people to support their studies, in addition to being insufficient, is conditional on the income of the family unit. That is to say, it is taken for granted that parental authority extends far beyond its legal limits. This is a terribly accepted bias and is extensible to a large majority of young people who depend on this economic assistance to be able to pay for their studies and their monthly expenses.
Most young people do not manage to leave the family home until after the age of 30, the same age at which women now have their first child on average. This prevents an adequate development of the personality so necessary to move towards adult life. But the important thing is to highlight the symbols and territorial unity.
Secondly, it should be noted that the curriculum of the new generations does not include basic notions of consent and sexual relations. Of the knowledge of the body and of healthy, respectful and voluntary practices. About what are sexually transmitted diseases. On the other hand, elementary notions of awareness of the environment, of approaching our planet as an integral part of it. Of basic ideas of everyday law, such as what a mortgage is, what a credit is, what a deposit is, what a contract is, what a retirement is, what human rights are or what a divorce is, because at some point in their lives they will have to face some of these situations. So that some basic concepts in these matters aimed at the youngest is key to their health, the proper functioning of society, greater respect for diversity, effective equality between men and women and a better understanding and personal development.
In short, a transversal education that includes all the axes of society and involves the youngest in the concerns that occur in them, responding to the difficulties they present and the opportunities they lack, we will achieve a reinforced and prosperous population, although for this it is necessary that political representatives strive to appreciate the social reality of the new generations and add more pragmatic educational policies and fewer photos on the wall to their political agendas.
