As millennials, we have entered a whole new generation of social, political, and economic obstacles. Although we are all facing this together as a generation, the older generations do not fully understand how the world is influencing us as well as future generations. There are several things our elders today fail to apprehend, mainly because the grew up in different environments and experienced different events.
1. The expectations of a college degree
When most of our parents and grandparents were our age, they were known to graduate from high school and find a career. Immediately from high school, they found themselves in full-time positions with high possibilities of working his or her way up the promotion ladder. It's a little for different for us now. When we graduate high school, we are expected to further our education.
Most high schools are encouraged to use one-on-one programs with students to guide him or her into furthering education. This expectation is, without a doubt, something our society within the U.S. has created. Those who decide to go into the work force after high school can be looked down on by others who believe a college degree is the only way.
In high school, many of us were encouraged to take the SAT's or other standardized testing programs that determined the intelligence and academic abilities of students. We were pressured to apply to several colleges and figure out what we wanted to do for the rest of our lives.
Why the drastic change? Our society's expectations of education has increased due to the competition in the work place as well as the fear of economic instability. The challenges of our economy has lead us to understand a minimum-wage job will not pay the bills or secure a family. Therefore, we either go to college for experience and knowledge in order to pursue a career or dive into the work force.
The most unrealistic expectation of a college degree is the cost of an education. College students take out thousands upon thousands of dollars for federal student loans. Those who wish to pursue a degree pay an extremely large amount of money in order to get a career to pay off loans. We pay for schooling in order to pay the loans we borrowed for schooling just so we can live securely- also known as the "American dream".
2. Technology's impact
I'm sure on average, millennials hear the venting of elders. "We never stayed inside. We climbed trees, rode bikes, played ball. Your generation is missing out." Fortunately, 90's kids definitely experienced the outdoors when we were younger. Sure, we had Gameboy Colors, Playstations, and an Xbox if you were lucky. We still had the big-boxed television sets and large video tapes, and some of us still do. We still weren't reliant on technology as children. We carried around Furbies, Bratz dolls, Pokemon cards, and so much more. However, we find that today, children are consumed mainly in tablets and cell phones just as much as adults.
Wireless devices have made a large impact on all individuals today. Children, young adults, and even our elders have cell phones. We are glued to social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat. We have become the generation that created the issues of technology such as detachment of social surroundings and relationships, texting while driving, dangers of online predators, and online harassment.
Technology isn't always a bad thing. Our advancement in technology has improved scientific research methods and discoveries to help make life easier. This research can include so many new ways of treating cancer, enhancing automobile safety features, and monitoring young children and young adults. Technology can be used for good or bad, it all depends on how we use it.
3. Fear for America's future
Every generation has experienced its own hardships, from times of war to times of oppression and intolerance of targeted groups or individuals. However, today things seem a little more intense with the large use of technology, misguiding media, and the fear of terrorism. History is so important to depend on in these times of challenge our generation faces because we can learn from not only the mistakes of the Unites States, but as well as the success of strong leaders who fought for American rights.
The upcoming presidential election has caused a lot of controversy in America. Social groups, protests, and riots have become violent against one another. Lately, our country has been struggling with the concerns of police brutality, racial oppression, abuse of welfare, and large numbers of illegal immigrants entering the country. Violence and drug use have also become a trend through media and music. Although there are possible solutions for these concerns, America has been failing to unite and conquer these issues.
Millennials were young when 9/11 occurred. We didn't understand that we were in danger as a country. Now that we are grown, we have been aware of the recent terrorist attacks within our own country as well as throughout the world. We have a fear of the future as millennials. Sure, the older generations are present and fear as well, however, we have concerns for our children and our future selves.
All generations have faced these hardships, but the millennials have challenges we have and must face that will change history like the older generations did. We have lived through so much change in this country, and hopefully there is more good change to come. Although older generations believe we are a "lost" era, we will find our way to a bright future eventually.
