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Defining the drop in status in terms of social mobility between generations, the author sheds light on the history of the generations born in the 60’s for whom the ascending social mobility is declining whereas the descending trajectories are increasing. The sociologist analyses the effects of this dynamic on those experiencing this drop of status : loss of confidence in the school institution, feeling to belong to a « lost generation » or acknowledgement of personal failure. He also underlines the paradoxical refusal of economic liberalism and a marked hostility towards unemployed populations living on welfare dependency.