Larissa Kay, a 28-year-old Australian, has gone viral on TikTok for her candid videos discussing the challenges young Australians face amidst the cost-of-living crisis. In her first video, which garnered 880,000 views, Kay posed a poignant question: “What’s the point?”
Kay shared her frustrations about the expectations versus the reality of pursuing higher education and financial stability. “Is anyone else kind of like, what’s the point, if you’re maybe in your 20s, your 30s…and you’ve finished school, gone to uni, got a degree, which is meant to get you a good job,” she said. “That job is meant to pay for a house, and maybe a holiday once a year, and maybe have some kids. And that’s not happening now.
You’re kind of like, what’s the actual point of anything?”
At 28, Kay thought she might have a three-bedroom house, be considering having children, and be successful in her career. Instead, she lives in a tiny studio and has moved to a regional area to save money, only to find that no jobs are available.
Questioning the value of degrees
This experience has made her reassess her life choices and consider alternative paths, such as traveling. In a follow-up video, Kay criticized the system for its inability to provide job security and affordable living. “Australia is bloody cooked,” she said.
“If people who are university qualified – I’m talking engineers, doctors, lawyers, healthcare professionals, teachers – people who are in high demand… can’t afford to live where they are required to work, that is a serious issue.”
Kay’s sentiments resonated with many viewers facing similar dilemmas. Comments on her videos echoed concerns about the current economic reality.
One viewer wrote, “We have a doctor and lawyer in the family, and they can’t afford houses in Sydney where they work.” Another commented, “Uni is the biggest lie young people have ever been sold.
The viral conversation has sparked significant debate on social media about the effectiveness and value of higher education in today’s economy, with many calling for systemic changes to address these pressing concerns. The ongoing discussion sheds light on the broader issues facing young Australians today, particularly amid increasing inflation and housing prices, questioning the conventional wisdom that a university degree and a steady job are sufficient to ensure a comfortable and secure life.
