What do young people from Extremadura spend their money on?

Young people from Extremadura do not spend a lot of money on culture. They are looking for ways to access what they like for free or through digital platforms with subscriptions shared by several friends. This is how those between 18 and 25 years old move between books, music, series and movies.

They go to movie theaters at most once or twice a month, they don’t usually go to the theater and they don’t usually go to concerts. They stopped buying records and books in physical format a long time ago as a general rule. They prefer to dive into the Internet and access it for free or at a lower cost to find the author or music group they want.

It is their way of relating to culture, as eleven young people who are studying university degrees in Extremadura tell us. They do it just when the central government has just given the green light to the cultural bonus of 400 euros from which those who turn 18 in 2022 can benefit. In Extremadura there are almost 10,000 young people, according to the INE.

They will receive a single payment that they can redeem for cultural events, physical products and digital consumption. The bonus will be valid during the twelve months following its granting and can be acquired through a specific technological platform.

Once the aid has been granted, the amount of the cultural bonus will be paid in a single payment, in virtual prepaid card format that will be identified with a number and the identity of the beneficiary.

Young people from Extremadura, who do not usually spend more than 100 euros per month on leisure and culture, have different opinions about the suitability of this measure.

Some believe that this is not the time to allocate 400 euros to this initiative “as the country is”, and others, although they see it with good eyes, consider that it should not only reach those who reach the age of majority. “At 18 years old, culture is not valued,” they agree. They also find it wrong that the bonus does not include sports activities.

María Luisa López is from the Badajoz town of Santa Amalia and is studying Law in Cáceres. In her free time, she usually takes the opportunity to get to know the city and its history.

“I really like to see museums. For example, now I want to go to the Arab Museum that is on the Cuesta del Marqués and I also have to reserve for the Helga de Alvear, which I really want to see it », she comments.

He also usually goes to the cinema twice a month, although he finds it expensive. For this reason, among others, she is subscribed to audiovisual content on the Internet, like most of her friends, as she explains.

“Between the Internet and subscriptions to platforms, I spend about one hundred euros a month. It’s quite a lot, but I’m subscribed to five, to all the film content platforms,” ​​says María Luisa.

He also likes music. He consumes it on the Internet and says that, when he can and the economy allows it, he buys a record in physical format.

Alberto Álvarez is 20 years old and is from Cuba, where he finished high school. Part of his family lives in Cáceres and now he is doing Civil Engineering at the UEx.

«Since I arrived recently and I am from abroad, I usually visit quite a few museums. The last one I’ve been to is the Helga de Alvear. It is free, but in others that I have been they do not seem expensive to me, ”says Alberto.

Part of his leisure money is dedicated to going to the cinema when there are premiere films. “I don’t see it as excessively expensive, in other cities outside of Extremadura it costs much more,” says Alberto, that there is something that he does not forgive every month: the gym.

Alba Rebella is from San Vicente de Alcántara and is studying the Degree in Occupational Therapy in Cáceres. In addition to studying, when she has free time she comments that she makes plans with her partner. “I recognize that I spend little money on culture, I spend more money going out with friends. Not much, about 20 euros at the weekend. There are many people who have to deprive themselves of leisure and culture because they don’t have enough money », she says as she waits for the bus that takes her to college.

She is subscribed to audiovisual content platforms and if she could benefit from the Government’s cultural bonus, she would dedicate it to going to the movies more. “Now I go from time to time,” she says.

Wassim Hadjs is from Algeria and studies Civil Engineering in Cáceres. His leisure passes mainly through sports. “I like to go to the gym and watch series on digital platforms,” ​​says this 19-year-old, who indicates that when there are premiere movies he also goes to the movies.

“From time to time I read a book, when I need it for the University,” he details.

It also follows the national and international sports press. “I don’t usually pay for it, I find it on the Internet for free,” says Wassim, who believes that sport is a lifestyle and should be included in this type of cultural bonus launched by the Government.

Sonia Cordero acknowledges that she spends little money on cultural leisure. “I go to the cinema from time to time and also to the theater because I occasionally work in a company related to animation projects,” says this 24-year-old.

Make sure you don’t buy records. “I consume music on the Internet and I am subscribed to digital platforms,” says Sonia, who does not agree that only 18-year-olds can access the cultural voucher launched by the Government.

He does see the measure positively to help a sector that has been “very affected by the pandemic, which offers very unstable contracts.”

Francisco Duque studies Teaching and has been at the conservatory for 13 years. He plays the double bass. “I usually go to concerts by the Extremadura Orchestra, to the cinema, to the theater from time to time and I spend part of my money buying video games,” he says.

He explains that not much money is usually spent on leisure. “For example, in the month of January, I remember that I went to the cinema once and bought a video game for about 60 euros.”

In his case, in addition to finishing his degree, he wants to continue his music studies, although he is aware of the effort that this entails. «Living from music is very complicated, unless you get a job in an orchestra, you are a great soloist or you can become a teacher at the conservatory».

He sees well that young people can access culture with these 400 euros that the Government is going to give to those who turn 18. Of course, he clarifies that there must be control and verify that the expense is really destined to the culture sector.

Laura Calzada studies Social Education at the University of Extremadura and spends her free time mainly playing handball, watching series and movies. “In relation to culture, I go to the movies and little else,” she acknowledges.

“It seems bad to me that the cultural bonus does not include sport,” says this 21-year-old.

In her case, she is subscribed to two digital platforms. «In my group of friends everyone has subscriptions. It is a much cheaper way of accessing culture”, comments Laura.

A cultural bonus of 400 euros seems “excessive” to her. “The way things are, I think there are more important issues,” she concludes.

Ana García is doing the master’s degree in Teacher Training. She previously graduated in Hispanic Philology. Her free time is mostly spent traveling, visiting museums and buying books. “I also go out with friends,” she adds.

«Because of the career I have studied, I really like reading. In addition to the current novel, the great classics. I just read ‘I, Claudio’, and ‘Persuasion’ by Jane Austen”, comments Ana.

He says that if he could benefit from the cultural bonus launched by the Government for 18-year-olds, he would dedicate it to books. “I would also like to go to the theater more. This week, for example, I have tickets to go, but I would like to go more », he comments.

Considers that culture and leisure is not too expensive. «With the youth card they make quite a few discounts. However, the cinema and the theater are a little more expensive than I would like », says Ana, who recognizes that she now lives on the money that her parents give her.

“More or less, I spend about 100 euros a month on leisure and free time,” details this 23-year-old who believes that the new cultural bonus for those who reach the age of majority is not very appropriate. “I think that at 18 years old, culture is still not valued very much.”

Tomás Pineda is a student of Criminology and Law and when asked about his free time he responds quickly. “I usually spend between 40 and 50 euros a month on going to the movies and on books.”

He explains that he shares a digital subscription to an audiovisual content platform with a friend and usually listens to music on the Internet. “I would like to be able to buy records and make a collection, especially rap in English and movie soundtracks,” says Tomás, who does not look favorably on the cultural bonus proposed by the Government.

«It seems bad to me because it is not the most ideal with the situation that is being experienced, with all prices on the rise. It is a measure to capture the youth vote instead of promoting culture.

Ana Millán is from Malpartida de Cáceres and studies Law in the capital of Cáceres. She says that her free time is devoted mostly to reading. She habitually tries to access novels that interest her for free. “I try to look for books on digital platforms because if it’s not a lot of money,” Ana says just before entering class.

He comments that he really likes crime novels, intrigue stories, and combines this type of reading with some others related to the contents of the university degree he is studying.

In his case, he is 18 years old, but he will not be able to take advantage of the cultural bonus put in place by the Government. This one only goes to those who come of age in 2022 and she will be 19 this year.

“If I had had the opportunity to access this aid, which I see quite well, I would have spent it above all on books and the occasional music album, which is something I don’t normally buy,” he says.

“Usually we cannot allocate as much money as we want to products related to culture because it is quite expensive and, between one thing and another, there are many expenses,” he acknowledges.

María Arquero likes to go to the movies or out to dinner with friends when she has free time. She studies Early Childhood Education and acknowledges that “on cultural issues” she does not spend a lot of money.

He considers that the cultural bonus of 400 euros that the Government will launch is a good initiative to promote activities that, according to him, people of his age do not usually do much. “Perhaps it would serve to go to the cinema or the theater more,” says this young woman.

“I don’t think culture is very expensive, but sometimes I recognize that we prefer other things like going out with friends,” says María, who does pay monthly for audiovisual content on digital platforms.