Gen F'd?: How Young Australians Can Take Back Their Stolen Futures

by Alison Pennington

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Economics, Australia

128 pages, Paperback

Published March 8, 2023

Reviews

[Tony Tone · Rating 5 out of 5]

While focussed on the economic and political challenges young people face in Australia, Gen F’ed is so much more than that. Pennington expertly explains how Australia got to where it is and provides a range of solutions to fix it for young people and anyone who hasn’t won the genetic lottery.

Everyone from young people for whom the struggle is real to entitled Baby Boomers who like pauchier versions of Smaug, jealously guard their fortunes, should read this book.

[Padg · Rating 3 out of 5]

the first part is strongly polemical, and the last chapter an outline of a broad swathe of social democratic reforms to steer australia out of its neoliberal turn. this might be a decent call to arms for some readers.

while obviously only a short book, for me this really suffered from not trying to explain any of the historical movements it referenced. it would be good, in my view, to try to give the (probably young) readership of this book a proper historical grounding in labour history, and things like the Accords, the white paper on employment, reconstruction, and Howard’s IR reforms were either not mentioned, or explained only in vague terms.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Written by an Australian economist but easy to follow. She avoids economic jargon. She explains how neoliberalism has made the old rich richer and the poor young poorer. She defines the young as Gen Y (millennials) and Gen Z - anyone under 35. They were born at a time when governments had moved away from publicly funded health, education and social housing towards a privatised, economic free for all, where the market reigns. We've gone from being citizens to customers. We can fight back but we need to get organised.

[Victoria Gillespie · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good! definitely was a little wary at first given the ugly front cover and title and the fact it seems to be made for crikey’s bourgeois older progressive subscribers so they could nod a little deeper at their baristas in the morning knowing they had PhDs…. but it develops well and provides accessible information and good strategies.

At times it was weighed down a bit by hyperbole, which seemed strange as at the same time the author professed no ideological lean (one cannot alienate their audiences with Marxian economics I presume) … but maybe that’s just my view !

Overall enjoyed it ! Wld recommend! Join ur unions etc etc

[Dave Hinnrichs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this incendiary and highly topical book.

[Jaidyn Muhandiramge · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent book with a great message but I felt a bit lost for the first half/three-quarters of it. The broad overarching message was there but the story of how our economic/political system has gotten to where it is was quite jumbled and jumped around a lot. I was hoping for something more solid with a lot of research and data but it read more like an opinion piece. The end of the book however, where the author talks about solutions, was more structured and easier to follow. I did enjoy it overall and did learn some new things here and there, but did need to persevere through some bits.

[Jona · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first real economics book, so I'm not exactly an expert, but I really liked it! It was written in a very accessible way so I was never confused or found myself wondering what Pennington meant by a certain phrase. Overall, not exactly groundbreaking, but it had some really good stats and was a good beginning book. My only complaint was Pennington's stance on UBI, which seemed a bit nonsensical, but what do I know?

[Jehlish]

If only, if only.
Pennington tries to find the optimism for our Australian youth but the steps for transforming anxiety into activism seem a stretch. Though there are plenty of young people I meet who are stepping away from their screens and craving real connection, far too much of it is still tribal identity connection and class solidarity seems somewhat fantastical in 2023.

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raises some interesting points and hopes for the future. A great introduction to the crisis facing young Australian. Definitely motivated me to try and find a better job instead of “doing my time” in fast food and also to start thinking more seriously about my future and what I hope to get from my degree

[Michael Ryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Under the first definition of baby boomers, most of them are dead already. Under the expanded definition, to 1965, it still won’t be long till they’re all dead and Alison still won’t be able to afford a house in Paddington. Who’s she going to blame then?

[Tonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear summary of problems facing young adults in Australia (insecure work, no affordable housing, a lack of support for rising mental health issues) and the myth of trickle-down economics. Also, a good reminder of the importance of unions, collectivism and putting people before profits.

[Callum Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mordant commentary on how my generation really is f’d - though I realise politics (and maybe even high-level economics) really isn’t that interesting to me.

5 stars for the commentary, 3 stars for the political/economics jargon which got quite heavy in the last 2 chapters.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This feels like a must-read for all Australians, particularly parents, that are in any way interested in the future of Australia. Except of course if you're invested in widening the inequality margin and continuing to build your own pocket of wealth at the expense of your wider communities.

[Adrianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Cian Pearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant book on neoliberalism in Australia touching on themes of housing crisis and intergenerational injustice, which is currently one of the most important matters.

[Rueben · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, agreed with everything but not super indepht on anyone thing-

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes me want to join a union, and then find the nearest picket line.

[Monique Dawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid message, but sweeping and repetitive

[Tom.Godfrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting for sure. A little repetitive and jumbled at times, but filled with tidbits.

Some components that resonated with me:

It takes a steady job to reclaim agency in one’s life and to think deeply. Could not agree more. How many people are deprived that higher order opportunity living pay check to pay check. I’d say income insecurity is similar to being on a narcotic…just unable to peer beyond one’s immediate life.

I’d never seen the whole picture of wages for young people. I think Alison makes a very compelling point, that one can for example be held criminally liable, vote, have sex, drink, and yet somehow not get paid the equivalent of their peers. That whole industries have sprouted to exploit this approach to youth wages.

That unionism could be a means to level the laying field of increasingly worse wages and poorer job quality.

She does a great job at weaving in the social welfare system, a rethink of our broader taxation system into the discussion, as unfortunately they are inextricably linked to a discussion on jobs. Her suggestions are great, though like so many academics, idealistic and lack in a detailed implementation strategy. How are we to convince the most powerful voting block, the 50 - 80 year old wealth block, to cede their rights? Or perhaps more relevantly, the politicians to whom they represent?

Issues:

My biggest issue was the lack of clarity behind why we are apparently “generation fuck’d.” I think the main argument was a transition to less secure work, but certainly this could not be the only point, yet I cannot detect other clear arguments, though often sweeping statements are made against neoliberalism and the private sector. I’m not saying the arguments aren’t in there, but for me they must have been unclear or hidden because I didn’t detect them.

Tonnes of repetition, often not tastefully.

[Gabriella Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

This made understanding the context and reasoning as to how the Australian economy has become a nightmare for young people engaging and a lot more clear. Provides empowering options for how young people can mobilise to change the direction and have our own taste of the “Australian Fair Go” as we enter the workforce.