With each passing generation comes a different set of qualities, and with stigma surrounding these qualities. We, as humans, have a tendency to only focus the negative aspects that are attached to each generation instead of looking at what different people can bring to the table. There are plenty of stereotypical characteristics that we reference all too often. Baby Boomers, for example, born between 1946 and 1964, are all hippies who are out of sync with technology (even though they seem to outweigh the millennial population on Facebook).
Generation X, born between 1965 and 1979, are the most negative generation to date. This could be because of the things they’ve lived through, causing them to question everything in a professional setting. These questions cause younger generations to view Xers as nothing but cynics. Could it be they ask because they know better?
Generation Y, born between 1980 and 1995, give or take, have no motivation. Your average Millennial is narcissistic and shallow, lazy, materialistic, that we have lost the ability to date or properly communicate with people without technology. Because I am a Millennial, I’m most surrounded by the negativity surrounding this generation. Needless to say, I can affirm that the stigma surrounding the average Snowflake does not represent all of us.
Some of us classified as Generation Y work two jobs while going to college full time.Some of us live at home, helping out a sick parent. Some of us opt out of drinking and partying every weekend in order to catch up on schoolwork, or pick up extra shifts at our side jobs. Some of us are trying to save money in order to buy a house when we graduate college. Some of us are just trying to get our shit together.
So why is it fair to say that the stereotypes that come with every generation represent every member of that group? It’s not.If you believe them to represent every person classified as a Baby Boomer, or a Traditionalist, or an Xer, or a Millennial, perhaps you are a part of the problem.
Each generation has its share of baggage, but keep in mind that these people may also have something to offer, because believe it or not, older generations have been around the block a few times. They may actually know what they’re talking about from time to time. “Snowflakes” do not represent all of Generation Y. Millennials do work hard and can offer things older generations cannot. Nobodies perfect. People have quirks that make them who they are. Let’s not make assumptions about people we hardly know. After all, you know what they say about people who “assume,” right?
