Intragenerational challenges among Ukrainian students in the context of war & migration
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17721/2306-3971-2026-01-41-41Keywords:
post-millennials, Ukraine, migration, intragenerational differences, war impactAbstract
The ongoing war in Ukraine and its associated migration have created significant intergenerational challenges among young Ukrainians, particularly among emigrants of the same generation. This study examines the perceptions and experiences of students who remained in Ukraine during the conflict, focusing on their attitudes toward their emigrating peers. Drawing on theories of generational formation and the "years of vulnerability" hypothesis, the study highlights intragenerational differences shaped by historical events, displacement, and digital connectivity. Using an online survey distributed to 742 higher education students in Ukraine, additionally, the open-ended question provided further depth to the analysis. The results indicate that while most respondents expressed sympathy for their emigrating peers, they also reported feelings of loss, sadness, and perceived discrepancies in political and social views. Over 60 % of participants perceived moderate or significant differences between themselves and their peers abroad, reflecting growing intragenerational differences. Qualitative narratives revealed concerns about Ukraine's future, social alienation, and the potential adoption of pro-Russian attitudes by emigrants. Overall, the study demonstrates that postmillennials in Ukraine cannot be viewed as a homogeneous group; migration, war, and prolonged separation contribute to social fragmentation and evolving generational dynamics. These findings underscore the importance of considering intragenerational diversity when analyzing the social and civic impact of conflict-induced migration.
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