A Generation Fleeing France in Search of Better Job Opportunities

Each generation is recited a list of appropriate behaviors, rules to follow, and life expectations. Respect your elders; be more tolerant towards family members; say thank you, you’re welcome, and please; work hard in school; be honest, fair, and nice and you will be rewarded. These are timeless social guidelines that have endured throughout several generations.

Despite the classic social guidelines relentlessly presented to newer generations, those of the past were not so lenient. Our grandparents and their parents, for example, had a longer list of the do’s and don’ts than what is expected in today’s society. Imagine a time when children were not allowed to speak unless spoken to, not allowed to speak at the table, received physical punishment for acting out in school, and a ‘’whoopin’’ was not only acceptable, but considered healthy and character-building. Today, if parents can convince their children to set aside their smart phones while eating, it is considered an accomplishment.

Each generation experiences more freedom than the last: fewer chores, newer, more efficient gadgets, faster internet, and an abundance of reliable information just a thumb-swipe away. But at what cost? There is always a cost. Sure, people who are now 24–30 years old may have more comfort available to them, but many are finding the task of obtaining what was ‘‘basic’’ for past generations impossible to obtain.

Not too long ago people of that same age group were able to afford buying a house, starting a family, having completed an undergraduate program, maybe even slightly higher, having accrued less student debt, and most importantly, being on a firm career path. Today however, many are still struggling to save enough money to finish school, let alone buy a house. Living in small apartments with roommates or still living at home with parents is becoming increasingly normal. However, being ‘’normal’’ does not equate to being happy, or even satisfied.

This ‘’disadvantaged generation’’ is not unique to any single country, ethnicity group, or level of education; this is a global problem. This generation may be unlucky, but they are also a group of savvy survivors unafraid to confront the unknown in order to secure some version of the future they were promised growing up.

The ‘’young ones’’ of France are no exception; ‘’Enough is enough!’’ they say. France, a culture of traditional, family-oriented, patriotic, elder-respecting, relatively non-violent, simple people, who generally need no more than the company of friends, and family over a good meal, is changing. For generations, French people have accepted the obstacles in their lives, rather than fighting and changing those obstacles into opportunities. French women with degrees have stayed home to raise children while the men were out (sometimes) making less money than what the woman might have earned. They have dutifully paid high taxes to house and feed others, while they themselves could hardly afford the cost of rent and food. Children have sacrificed once in a lifetime career opportunities in order to stay within the same region as their family. They gave up dreams of moving abroad in order not to seem unpatriotic, they paid more for local goods of (sometimes) inferior quality to, again, appear patriotic. They have gone through years of grueling studies after high school, just to live in 9 square meter studios making little more than minimum wage with little complaint. Well, not anymore.

A study released in March 2014 by the Chamber of Commerce of Industry of the Parisian region of Ile-de-France estimated that 60–80,000 French citizens are leaving France to seek prosperous lives in other countries. Based on the pattern of the last ten years, this number is steadily increasing 3–4% each year. According to the French newspaper, Le Monde, in reference to this fleeing of the young French population, ‘’Trained in a country where the gloom has almost become an art of living, they leave aspired by a race to become global talent.’’

The betrayal of France as a gloomy, depressing, creativity-crushing culture is all too common these days. For years these adjectives have been ignored by many, deemed as irrelevant coming from expats living in France. Recently though, these are not the words of foreigners in France, these are born and raised French citizens making these claims. Many are between the ages of 24–30, some still students, some just finishing their studies, fearful of what lies ahead for them, and others holding a degree that has earned them nothing but unemployment coupled with more experience in job rejection than is healthy for any one person.

During an interview with Stylist, a U.K. based magazine at the Dior Haute Couture 2014 event, actress Marion Cotillard, a French native, spoke about her return to Paris after living for several years in Los Angeles. She states several observations about French culture that were interpreted as unjust criticism by the French, but she makes a point that many other French people are starting to admit, ‘’ I feel there’s a kind of depression now which affects a lot of things like creativity.’’ The French public was outraged, ready to dismiss her as a part of their country, suggesting that she should return to the U.S. because she is not a good ‘’fit’’ for France. Many argued that she is ungrateful to the country to which she owes her career success. True, she did receive her training and start her acting career in France, but her renowned success did not come until she allowed her talent to be displayed to an international audience.

Marion Cotillard is not the only French native trained in her art in France, but forced to move abroad in order to nourish her talents. Elodie M., a contributor for Le Plus, recently wrote an article announcing that she is taking a job offer in the U.S. and could not be happier that she is leaving France. Her six year post-high school education has earned her a short-lived job with a low salary, quickly followed by unemployment. According to Elodie, France does a satisfactory job of offering affordable higher education, practically free in comparison to the tuition fees of the U.S., but does not offer any support for students after graduation. So one must ask the question: does the cheaper education compensate for a life of struggle and financial dependence? The two choices for French graduates today are to find someone who will hire you, or apply for government aid, not an appealing choice to those ambitious enough to finish a Master’s program.

In the States, a person with as much as a Master’s degree can find employment waiting tables, working as a bank teller, or any number of other positions under his or her skill set while seeking better employment. In France this is not the case. Those with a degree higher than a high school diploma are considered overqualified for any position that does not require post-high school education. However, due to the limited amount of skilled positions available in France, these young adults are also being turned away from job positions for which they qualify, due to a lack of experience and availability. Left with no other option, many end up depending on their parents and the French government to survive.

Affordable education is wonderful, but as France demonstrates, there is a downside: oversaturation of skilled workers in the skilled job market. In an ideal world, everyone should have a place in a university, with a job awaiting them. We do not live in that world, however. For those who are lucky enough to find a job, the average income in France is only 1,500 Euros a month. Employees making 2,500–3,000 Euros a month are considered well above average even though these incomes hardly make up for the high cost of living in France after the government subtracts the ever-increasing taxes. The lack of jobs, insufficient salaries, and high taxes are just a few of the factors in the overall equation leading young French people to move elsewhere.

Le Monde describes France as ‘’gloomy,’’ Marion Cotillard as ‘’depressing,’’ and Elodie of Le Plus, as ‘’foul-smelling.’’ These are strong words used to describe a country thought of as elegant, chic, reserved, and cultured by the rest of the world. Those who have never lived or even visited France may brush these accusations off as petulant, but for those who have had any firsthand experience with French people in France know exactly what this means. Many believe that a smile and small gestures of kindness can go a long way. People who live in friendlier areas may take this for granted, thinking that these gestures from strangers change nothing. Well, it does change a lot. In France, not just in Paris, there is a feeling of everlasting despair, of being caught in a vicious cycle leading nowhere. These feelings are brought on by the lack of friendliness and respect people in France show one another. A typical trip to the grocery store will merit you countless stare-downs, shovings, cuttings in line with no apologies, and rude comments well within ear shot. On the road you will encounter drivers who will drive either 20mph over or under the speed limit, they will rarely signal with their blinkers, and generally ignore rules of the road that were implemented in order to avoid accidents. The most frustrating part is that you are not allowed to defend yourself for risk of everyone near you looking at you as if you are the anti-Christ. If someone steps on your feet, shoves you into a nearby wall, well you better just deal with it. In addition to these pleasant traits of the French, you will be chastised in some form if you succeed, or even look successful.

Those who succeed in France have to sacrifice a lot, but once they accomplish anything they are not left in peace. In some cases, this is when the real mistreatment begins. Successful people in France are singled out in a sense. People are ruder than usual, if they acknowledge your existence at all. In some cases friends and family members will cease communication and you will not receive proper service in most establishments. Elodie wrote in her article, ‘’What frightens me [about France] is this permanent pessimism. This vengeful side [of society] which condemns those who succeed.’’ People may refuse to accept this comment, but there is evidence of this mentality everywhere. People who own vacation houses outside of Paris for example have to buy an additional car just for that location, because the car they use in Paris is at risk of vandalism for no other reason than that the car might look nice, and bares a Paris license plate. Expensive cars parked on the streets throughout Paris are often seen in the mornings with broken windows and side-view mirrors, deflated tires, and keyed doors.

Many of the French are offended by Elodie’s article, as well as by the increase in departures from France in pursuit of better career opportunities. Following the protocol of instinctive human behavior to defend oneself, the French public has answered with criticism of other countries, especially the United States. They cannot fathom that anyone would want to leave France to live in the U.S., ‘’a country of weapons, country of capitalism, country of community, country of excess… ‘’ Looking at this from an unbiased standpoint, France theoretically has a lot to offer. Why trade cheap, almost free health care, education, low levels of violence, six other countries lining its boarders, long life spans, four to six weeks paid vacation a year, shorter work weeks, accessible public transportation, a long, rich history, hundreds of museums, and let’s not forget the baguette! In the States, it’s true that health care and higher education are both very expensive compared to other first world countries. The U. S. is the only western nation not offering automatic paid vacations, not even unpaid vacations in many cases. It is the most violent, dangerous, and mentally ill country of the first worlds. Despite all of these facts however, people are still choosing to leave their lives behind and start fresh in the ‘’country of immigrants.’’

The reasons people decide to live in the U.S. vary from person to person. What they all have in common though is the desire to be free to be oneself. The U. S. does have its flaws, but it is one of the world leaders in entertainment and innovation. Those who live there are not expected to follow in the same professional steps as their parents, as is still expected in some parts of France. The freedom of choice, this is what is appealing. In France you have no choice but to pay taxes that pay for the national education and health care. In the U.S. you can choose how much you want to spend on education and health care, leaving more room to invest in comforts of your choice, or simply to save. People are celebrated, acknowledged, and complemented for achievements, unlike in France. Americans (not all) smile, wait their turn in line, and do not expect everything for free. I can honestly say that living in the U.S. can be a self-esteem booster, which naturally encourages productivity, creativity, and risk taking.

In addition to a happier ambiance, the U.S. offers salaries virtually unheard of in France. For the same skills, education, and position, someone in the U.S., with financial aid in the form of a loan or mortgage, can buy a house with a pool, everything newly renovated, a new car, and still have money left over for health care. The same position in France might yield someone a rented dilapidated one bedroom apartment with mildew, mice, no insulation, and if they’re lucky a stove and oven. People want the choice to spend their money the way that they want. This generation in particular wants what was promised to them if they worked hard and finished school: a job with a decent income so that they can be a part of productive, contributing society. If that opportunity lies elsewhere, then so be it. As Elodie furthers this point, ‘’But if nothing changes, [in France] I see nothing that could make me stay, or even make me return [to France] .’’

The young people of France have spoken: they want compensation for years spent in school as they were told they would have, they want the right to succeed without being made to feel ashamed by their people, and they want to be able to afford a comfortable life. More importantly they want to be accepted as they are, not shunned by society for speaking up in self-defense when mistreated or swindled. They want to express their creativity, innovative skills, and their right to make their own financial choices. To obtain this lifestyle, this generation is openly announcing their choices to move to other countries, even if that means making compromises that many of their compatriots cannot understand. They want to feel welcomed, wanted, and accepted like anyone else because a little bit of kindness goes a long way.

Jacqueline Perrier-Gillette is currently a resident of Paris, France, where she lives with her husband. Together the two of them operate their small translation company, giving Jacqueline the opportunity to observe the French and their culture up close. She is an avid reader, writer, and student of foreign languages.

By Jacqueline Perrier-Gillette