Common Myths About Millennials
Start writing a post
Student Life

Common Myths About Millennials

We are not who you think we are.

19
Common Myths About Millennials
Recruitifi

A recent trending hashtag on twitter ignited a generational war between millennials and the rest of the internet. The hashtag, #HowToConfuseAMillenial, started out as an attempt to poke fun at millennials, but quickly backfired. Young people all over twitter decided to fight back and stand up for their generation, and used the hashtag to highlight some things they felt the older generation got wrong. This really got me thinking about how the world sees millennials. People think we are entitled, incompetent, and lazy, among other deplorable things. And this makes me angry. Very angry, because this is a very ignorant way to see my generation. I find it very interesting when older generations say believe these things, but they forget about who raised us, THEM. I'm not saying that my generation is the best, it isn't, but neither is any other generation. We all have our shortcomings, and we should all be united and stand together, rather than tear each other down. As a proud, hardworking, and determined millennial, I am here to dispel some myths about the generation no one can shut up about.

"Millennials Depend On Their Parents Too Much."

Go on Facebook, and you will see at least a dozen different posts about how millennials are too quick to ask their parents for money and many are quick to point out that a huge percentage of millennials still live and depend on their parents financially, but why? Because we can't afford to live on our own. According to Zillow, 21 percent of people between the ages of 24 and 34 still live with their parents. Rising rent, student loan debt, and the lack of steady income before and after graduation are some of the many reasons millennials cannot afford their own homes. Living with parents takes away a financial burden, and it will allow them to continue their education and save up money to invest in a home. For example, I still live with my parents, go to school full time and work almost 30 hours a week, and I barely make enough money to pay for my textbooks, among other things. If I was to move out, I would be scraping by every single week, and that is not the kind of stress I want to have to worry about right now. So, yeah, the majority of the time it is not laziness, its survival.

"Millennials Lack Work Ethic."

How can we possibly compare generational work ethics when the job market has changed drastically in the last 60 years? Millennials are expected to make up half of the workforce in the next four years. Technology is rapidly growing every day, and young people are taking advantage of it in the workplace. We are considered the most educated generation, according to CNN we are more likely to have a college degree than any of the previous generations. And against what all would believe, Millennials do in fact have a strong work ethic, just not in the way you expect. Baby Boomers were conditioned to work hard, and then work even harder, which is not a bad thing. Boomers have the most tireless and undeterred work ethics, but just because Millennials don't have that same work ethic, it doesn't mean we are not working at all. We work smarter and not harder. We work to understand things, and constantly think of ways to get our work done faster and more efficiently. We are excellent multitaskers, thanks in part to technology and busy schedules. We want to be a part of everything, and demand that our voices be heard. We are always eager for feedback and are quick to ask for help when we need it, which unfortunately comes across as a need for instant gratification. We seek not only money, but a meaningful career we are passionate and happy about. Basically, we have come to the realization that working harder is not always working better.

"Millennials Are Disrespectful."

I'm just going to say it, you can't respect people who don't respect you. I cannot tell you how many times my thoughts and ideas on a subject have been pushed aside based purely on the fact that I am young, or what they call "lacking in life experiences". I have a unique voice, just like anyone else, and it deserves to be heard. And when people patronize me, you bet I will call them out on it. So yeah, you could think of it as disrespect, I like to think of it as standing up for myself. Now, that being said, it does not mean I am not capable of accepting when I am wrong or respecting authority. I just think there is a fine line between respecting authority and sticking to my ideas and beliefs. We as millennials are living in a growing and ever changing environment, and we are quick to oppose traditional norms. So many people assume that we don't have manners or lack respect, but what is ironic is that is exactly what each generation does to the previous one, they rebel and form their own opinions. It was what our parents did to our grandparents, and what our grandparents did their parents too, and so on.


I sincerely hope no one took this article as a typical millennial making excuses, but rather as a way to show older generations that the things they don't like about us are not as bad as they make them out to be. Also, I am not bashing Baby Boomers or Generation X, I have immense gratitude and respect for them. I am simply stating that instead of focusing so much on what my generation is doing wrong, maybe instead start working together alongside us to create change and posterity. Abraham Lincoln once famously stated that a "house divided against itself cannot stand," which is more true than ever. We cannot fix the problems of the world without helping each other.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

45052
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

28433
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

953035
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

157636
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments