Millennials. Usually uttered in complete disgust, what used to be the title of a generation has now become somewhat of a derogatory term.
Does every older generation feel the same way about the ones that follow it, or are millennials really that bad?
As a millennial, of course, it is obvious that I would argue for our case, but there is a multitude of reasons to stop condemning us.
Right now, the high school graduation rate is higher than it has ever been, at 83 percent, having risen from just 72% in 2012. Millennials are looking to be the most educated generation yet. Researchers have also noticed extremely notable shifts towards more tolerant and less oppressive views on same-sex marriage, affirmative action, and access to higher education, giving women, minorities, immigrants and sexually fluid individuals more opportunities in life.
Millennials care. Activism is currently at a high for social justice issues such as police brutality, women’s rights, immigrants’ rights, and environmental issues. Young people everywhere are mobilizing to create change and better the world around them.
We have been diversifying the job and education fields, with African-American and Latino males being the most inclined to start their own business, and females being the most inclined to start a nonprofit.
Older generations tend to demonize our use of technology, deeming us the “selfie generation,” but they lack understanding of the benefits of technology themselves. Social media has made us become extremely connected to our peers, which is not always a bad thing. It is easier than ever to make new friends, keep up with old friends, and even make online connections that could lead to jobs or internships.
The widespread use of social media has allowed us to become the originators of the “meme,” which has become the defining social phenomenon of our generation. Millennials can quote something seen on the Internet, and their peers will likely pick up on it. Our sense of humor is very specific and interwoven with social cues and pop-culture.
Often times, I show my dad a meme or a video from Twitter and he won’t understand it at all, while I find it to be hilarious. I think this is a distinguishing trait of our generation, and it’s super cool to be a part of.
Contrary to the popular assumption, we did not grow up using technology as we do now. An adult once asked me if I knew what a VHS was… of course I do! I watched the Tarzan VHS every day of my childhood. The most advanced technology I saw as a child was Microsoft Paint and silver flip phones.
As we grew older, we saw the invention of the iPod, and subsequent Apple products and other innovations, and we were just as awed by them as older people were. We were the last generation to have grown up without the technology that we have today, and we are proud of that. As we got older, of course, we began to use the newer technologies and social media apps, but so did everyone else!
So, can everyone please stop hating on the millennial generation? We are doing our best to succeed and make the world a better place, just like every generation before us. Do not write us off just because we may have technological expertise and communicate in ways that you don’t quite understand. We like us, and that’s okay.
