'Lost generation' poses threat to Spain's social fabric

MADRID - Daniel Lorente has worked in the construction industry, flipped burgers at McDonald's, been a camp counselor, a telemarketing representative and a doorman.

But Lorente's part-time jobs never lasted more than seven months: He was laid off from each one as Spain's economic gloom deepened into a historic crisis. Now the 21-year-old is staring into a dead-end future.

"How am I going to make it if I don't have a steady job, to pay a mortgage, for example?" asked Lorente. "Or for a wedding, or anything involving a big expense? You can't get anywhere."