Intergenerational differences and conflicts during the pandemic crisis in Italy

Introduction. The health, economic and social crisis caused by the Covid 19 pandemic in Italy has produced a wide range of consequences reactions. It favoured re-emergence intergenerational conflicts that had long been latent. present article focuses on this phenomenon depth analyses most salient results study conducted Emilia Romagna region. In study, different generational groups were interviewed, from adolescents to adults elderly. Methodology. was performed November 2020, days immediately after measures contain epidemic introduced via governmental decree. Strict limitations individual behaviour, school attendance possibility exercising certain professions announced. opinions young people, elderly collected regarding: Italian government’s decisions; concept health; life; behaviours relating respect or not restrictions. Based gathered data, work sought highlight specificities, commonalities and, above all, elements conflict. Results. A picture emerged which, alongside shared admission health – understood its broadest sense physical psychological well-being must be protected defended, each group also considered own demands as priority. These linked enjoyment life, needs their specific requirements. They presented themselves victims rules very protective favoured, other age groups. An excess self-referentiality, which cut across all groups, led closing implosions, arousing conflicting positions. Discussion conclusions. reported testify hitherto underlying conflict, stemming new generations’ difficulties regarding mobility, but culture selfish hedonism. Until spread COVID-19 epidemic, hedonism manifesting itself consequence an ultraliberalism puts dimensions «having» before «being», «individual» «community».