Young Adults’ Perceptions of Intergenerational Solidarity and Conflict: The Renegotiation of Compliance with Restrictions During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Kirsten Visser*, Gerald Mollenhorst, Veronique Schutjens, Isabelle Vullings

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, mitigating behaviour moved into the moral domain, and compliance with restrictions became tied to issues of intergenerational solidarity. Little is known about young people’s experiences with and attitudes towards coping with COVID-19 restrictions or about the role of intergenerational solidarity and conflict in their compliance. An analysis of 20 in-depth interviews with young adults (aged 18–24) in Dutch cities revealed a profound impact of the restrictions on their lives. Most tried to comply on moral grounds, particularly care and loyalty. But they felt that the impact on their own lives was not taken seriously and that young people were stereotyped as inconsiderate and perceived as flouting regulations. However, when the restrictions were prolonged, some participants renegotiated the ways in which they complied
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)160-179
Number of pages20
JournalYoung
Volume32
Issue number2
Early online date16 Jan 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s).

Funding

The data on which this research article is based were collected within the research project 'Youth networks, social divides and solidarity -Before Covid-19, during the lock down, and in the aftermath of the epidemic' that was conducted with financial support of a Dynamics of Youth (DoY) Invigoration Grant from Utrecht University.

FundersFunder number
Dynamics of Youth
Universiteit Utrecht

    Keywords

    • COVID-19 pandemic
    • intergenerational solidarity and conflict
    • mitigating behaviour
    • moral foundations

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