As a general rule, I am pleased to see that French political activism and engagement is still as strong as ever. They believe in something, regardless of its validity, and fight for it. I respect that. Can you imagine what it would take to get Americans to unite and take to the streets for over 8 consecutive days without fear of it costing them their jobs? So while the mention of an upcoming or ongoing strike may elicit some eye rolls, it is emblematic of their undying sense of solidarity and freedom of expression.
But what seems to me to be the overarching issue with the strike against Sarkozy’s pension reform is the inability to accept change or progress. Regardless of what an economist (or logical human-being, for that matter), could tell one of these activists, they refuse to view the increased retirement age (from 60 to 62) as anything other than an affront to their quality of life.
Recently, I walked into sensitive territory at my favorite bakery. I asked what time they closed, “21h”, she replied dryly. “Ah, quand même”, I said (oh, that late?). This opened the door to “oh yea, every day and yet now we’re going to have to work another 2 years! As if we haven’t paid our dues…”. The second baker replied “ah! Not me, I started when I was 15! I’ll be done sooner!”. After further rebuttals, I grabbed my loaf of bread and slithered out of there before it got too heated. This incident struck me as undeniably French and although comical, reflective of a widespread impression that somehow the retirement age can remain static forever.
The fact is, the change is necessary to account for greater life expectancy and an economy that cannot support any further debt. If my generation hopes for a shred of a pension plan by the time we retire, things have to change. The increase has been progressive in all other European countries (all of whom are laughing at the outrageous yet predictable French drama) and even in the United States.
But what boggles my mind most of all are the high school students who refuse to go to class and even block the entrances in protest of the pension reform. They’re reportedly concerned that there will be no jobs left for them by the time they’re ready to enter the workforce yet we’ve heard nothing from the University students who would be the first affected by the reform. As is common during the more substantive strikes, some people, mostly youths, see an opportunity to become destructive and wild – breaking car windows, setting trash cans on fire, etc. – which is precisely the kind of image to land on the front page of an international newspaper causing outsiders to equate protests with uncontrollable behavior and violence.
Yes, these high schoolers are exercising their right to contest, but do they even really understand what’s happening? Their outrage and steadfastness only makes me think that French young people really are miserable. If people can’t get to work thereby disrupting commerce because there is no petrol left and flights can’t leave or arrive in France due to yet another air traffic controller strike, when is enough, enough? I’d say right about now.
