Millennials, Shmillennials
"Millennial": it's a term I'm hearing often these days, particularly in the weekly editors' meetings at the Office of Creative Services. As one of the few (okay, maybe the only) Millennial in the office, I bristle every time someone mentions the word. Funny, because until recently, I thought the generic term for my generation was "Gen Y." And until I heard this new descriptor, my only annoyance was that I didn't make it into Generation X.
But what is a Millennial? The term is used--along with "Gen Y"--to describe the group of people born in the 80s and 90s. I've even heard that it's used to describe anyone born between the years of 1979 and 1997. As with Gen X and the Baby Boomers, Millennials supposedly share certain characteristics--having overprotective, or "helicopter" parents, for example. Perhaps because of these helicopter parents, we are sheltered, achieving, and special (we think we're special, anyway). We are also technologically savvy, teaching our parents the newest trends, which they will then, by this definition, use to find the quickest way to e-mail our professors, demanding next semester's syllabus so their child can be the best-prepared student. Other descriptors I've heard include "confident," "team-oriented," and "conventional." I've even heard students' rudeness be attributed to being Millennials--we're just too darn special to be bothered with saying "excuse me" when we bump into someone. I perked up at this one. You mean I can be a jerk and blame it on my generation? This is great!
But then I thought about it, and I realized my dad would kick my butt if he saw me acting that way. In fact, he'd probably fly in and salvage the situation before anyone thought less of me. Wait a second--that is so, like, Millennial of me.
In fact, the more I think about it, the harder I fight against this Millennial accusation, the more I become one. No wonder my co-workers are smirking at my protests. I'm just too "special" to believe I fit in a category.
What do you think? Submit a comment and let ME know. But could you e-mail it to my dad first?
Comments
Wow, I think this blog is very insightful, and sheds light on the great generation gap, and how none of us will ever be happy with the generation below us. Bridge that gap!
Looks great! I found lots of intresting things here. Many thanks. Nice site. Cheers!
Millennials. What makes us being what we are in our generation is that because this is our time. We are confident because we can relate to the present situation, trends or technologies. Knowledge on those aspects help in developing self-confidence. It is because things from past generations have been surpassed by our generation.
For the next generation, they will be the ones who would think that way because it will be their time. I think being confident is not because of which generation you belong to. It is within a person. He/she just needs to develop and improve it over time.
The Millennials were "wanted" when they were born and raised at a time when children were welcomed and protected. Millennials will blossom as a "can-do," "powerhouse" generation, filled with technology planners, community shapers, institution builders and world leaders. They will set the standard for what will be considered righteous, smart and moral. We are an American "hero" generation.
Millennials will be a very positive force reshaping American life. They will likely produce a slew of great presidents, business leaders and scientists,". However, proof of these expectations won't be seen until 2012, when the first Millennials become governors and other political leaders, when the eldest ones turn 30.
We express ourselves not by protests, bra-burnings and sit-ins like the baby boomers.
Also, baby boomer-style "love the one you're with" promiscuity is out. Modesty, romance and saving sex for marriage, or at least for someone really special, is in. It's the Millennials who are helping to drive down the rates of teen pregnancies, births and abortions.
Drug use also declines with The Millennials. Raves and "club drugs" are leftovers from the Generation X crowd and they're not "genuine" parts of a Millennial culture. Millennials are simply too busy to go to raves....just my 2 cents.
Millennials. What makes us being what we are in our generation is that because this is our time. We are confident because we can relate to the present situation, trends or technologies. Knowledge on those aspects help in developing self-confidence. It is because things from past generations have been surpassed by our generation.
This millenia stuff is nothing more than a home made word in my opinion. What makes us unique ? are we better than our previous generations ? maybe smarter but that's all there is to it... besides that our generation is described as a sum of sex, violence, computer addiction and other "goodies".
You mean I can be a jerk and blame it on my generation? This is great!
^^
There are certainly both good and bad characteristics that are present in our current generation of youth. We do seem to have found out more of "who we are" them most generation previously but on the flip side we live our lives we are the most important people to ever live. We feel that everyone should be fixated on us, who we are, our (small) accomplishments and to reinforce that viewpoint is the proliferation of customized "mirrors to the world" like "myspace.com" and "facebook.com". Millions of youth just waiting around for other to visit their sites and tell them how clever they are. As I said,both good and bad.
Very interesting read, I have to agree with what you said about the Millenials parents, I am a Millenial and have to say my parents, and the parents of my friends really were "overbearing". Keep the great posts coming.