This afternoon I attended a symposium regarding the traits of four generations: Traditionals, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials. Although all three were discussed, Millennials were dissected, and although it was quite informative and made the attempt to be reassuring insofar as the phrase “these are ‘cultural trends’ not stereotypes” was thrown into the speech every other sentence, I can’t help but feel as though perhaps these generalizations were delivered one-sidedly and received one-sidedly without the realization truly sinking in that the behavior of a generation is molded by its parent generation. Thusly, Traditionals can, by proxy blame the behavioral outcome of their grandchildren based upon the parenting example/model/extreme one way or another that they set for their own children. If it is to be said that “my generation” lacks respect, tradition, and concern for the way things are “supposed to be,” perhaps it isn’t a product of our own rebellion or desire to piss of the masses but instead the hybrid of two generations of parenting mixed together.
Nowadays, there is a new phenomena, the Helicopter Parent. Thank heavens I didn’t have to deal with this blasphemy. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, “Helicopter Parent” refers to the overprotective, coddling, in-everyone’s-business-because-this-is-my-child, I’ll-hit-you-with-a-lawsuit-if-you-cross-me-or-my-honor-student parent. It’s now become an understanding that the mother is driving the helicopter of socioeconomic demise, but I’m sure that there are a few dads who rack up their fair share of air-miles. These Helicopter Parents have spawned this generation that so many look down upon, and it is unfortunate that as a matter of social convention that a generation’s actions and behaviors defines a time period, for we are the ones writing history. Because of this unfortunate reality, a few clarifications must be made about the labels given to “my generation,” Millennials, a brand that I resent accepting because of the simple fact of my existence through a time should not mean that I am filed away in a box of modern generalizations. Alas, I will proceed nonetheless.
SHELTERED
Many say that my generation is sheltered, and it is said in such a way that implies (or at least begs the inference) that we have sheltered ourselves, a feat which, no matter how clever we claim to be, is impossible on a primordial level. If we are sheltered, it is because that was the Baby Boomer’s parenting style of choice. It seems a double standard to berate a crop of which you have sown, analogous to scolding a loaf of bread for burning if left in an oven that was set a the incorrect temperature. Not only is it illogical, but it is malproductive. Instead of stating that we are sheltered, the necessary measures should be taken to ween us out of this alleged status.
SELFISH
Many also claim that the Millennial generation is self-centered. I don’t disagree. I do, however, challenge those who may be labeling to suggest a way of life that is conducive to success in the society which we have been dealt, a society that looks down upon employment without four plus years of education and makes it damn-near impossible to obtain; a society that is currently creating an economy in which people are overworked and undervalued and completely misunderstood; where people are swindled, cheated, and robbed of their humanity. No one looks after you. You have to do it yourself. That’s survival.
EXPECT REWARDS FOR EVERYTHING
Gold stars, happy-face stickers, and prize-based encouragement have been a part of our lives since we uttered our first syllables, took our first steps and were potty trained, and then our parents and teachers kept that up. It became a familial responsibility to tell your children that you were proud of them. My dad still says he’s proud of me when I tell him the dentist says I have no cavities. Not really necessary, but it’s what he’s always done.
This generation has been largely alienated from other generations because of both the breakaway from tradition in family life and the technological gap that lies between Gen X and Y (another name for Millennials). Our parents grew up in the ’60’s, rebelled like crazy and then grew up leaving a lot of their pasts in the darkness for many of us. That’s one of the reasons that many Millennials (myself halfway included) are so close to their parents now. They have known the grown-up version all of their lives and things are finally fitting into place.
I may have a bit of a skewed vision of “my generation,” but I don’t think that someone from any other generation necessarily has a view any less intrinsically corrupt than mine, it’s simply corrupt in varying ways. I know that I’m not just another case study in a generational cross-section, nor is anyone else. Everything is situational, subjective, and largely individualistic when it comes to observing people as a whole, and generalizations will always be made if a behavior is seen as repetitious, it’s a fact of life. But I think that we all need to be a little less hasty in labeling what we don’t understand and on a greater level than simply age. Hastiness is becoming the downfall of our socioeconomic communities, and we are the ones who have to do something about it.
