Cuba is struggling to keep its young population happy. Many young people in Havana feel
frustrated and trapped in an outmoded authoritarian society. The last generation to grow
up under the Castro's are largely alienated from the ideals of the revolution. They don't
want to experience the same economic hardships as their parents and long for freedom of
speech and - maybe even more- economic opportunities. Some youngsters might have a wary
sense of possibility these days, but most still don't see a future for themselves in Cuba
and dream of leaving the island.
There is a widening gap between the have and have-nots. Cubans benefitting from
remittances from family abroad or those with tourism jobs, have more chance of taking
advantage of the new possibilities. Others risk being left out of the promise of
prosperity brought on by economic reforms and a thaw in relations with the United States.
