It has recently come to my attention that my generation is a "crybaby" generation. Everything has become offensive and real criticism is non-existent. This is a problem because if we are being coddled then we are never going to have a realistic perception of ourselves and the world around us. Although some issues in today's society are controversial, I think that getting your feelings hurt or being offended every now and then is essential to growing up and developing strong opinions and self-confidence. This is especially important when it comes to school.

I read a blog post that is harshly calling out our generation. It seemed a bit extreme, but also brutally honest. After reading this, I began to think about my peers and even myself. Looking back at my toughest times in school, I realized that those upsetting moments came when teachers were hard graders or pointed out truths about myself which I hadn't been informed of before. Growing up I have always thought that I was a great student--I have the grades to show it. When I get a teacher who gives me bad grades I get really offended and think that the teacher is dumb because none of my other classes have graded me that way or told me that I needed to improve. Maybe these teachers were the ones who I should be thanking, though because in today's schools teachers are so fed up with students and parents complaining about giving students bad grades that they have begun to just lower standards in attempts to avoid offending students. A Psychology Today study even revealed that "Less resilient and needy students have shaped the landscape for faculty in that they are expected to do more hand holding, lower their academic standards, and not challenge students too much."

Now this might not seem obvious, but when I feel as though I have worked really hard on something and then I see that someone whose paper or work is not as good gets the same grade, I second guess whether my work is really being graded honestly. If, during our time in school, we are not getting realistic reviews of our work and we are being sheltered even in these institutions of learning, then how can we really succeed after school is done and the real world is at our feet?

This is not fair for the millennials, it is time that people begin to treat us without using such kid gloves. I, myself, am tired of being coddled. I am of the sensitive breed, as I mentioned earlier, but I think that we need to be given honesty in all areas, from family, friends, co-workers, and teachers, if not then when we all enter the workforce we will not be able to make great changes. In order to be successful then you need to be the best and criticism, when constructive, is a tool for pushing yourself to become the best. I know that I do not want a future full of individuals who think that they are all perfect and amazing and who will be offended when told otherwise. Being rude and offensive is not what I recommend, but there is a way that we can receive a little hurt in order to help build our character and improve ourselves. When you receive this truth then you will be able to do with it what you want, ignore it and go on with your bad self or take it in and do something about that to reevaluate yourself.

Part of this comes from giving millennials more responsibility and room to fail. "[Students] haven’t developed skills in how to soothe themselves, because their parents have solved all their problems and removed the obstacles. They don’t seem to have as much grit as previous generations. (Gray)” I have been fortunate enough and willing to do things on my own for a long time. I haven't had my parents do everything for me, but many of my peers have and they need constant assistance in order to handle any real world issues. The article mentioned earlier states, "If we want to prepare our kids for college—or for anything else in life!—we have to counter these social forces. We have to give our children the freedom, which children have always enjoyed in the past, to get away from adults so they can practice being adults—that is, practice taking responsibility for themselves."

So parents, and Millennials, I challenge you to be an adult and get some grit. Our generation is becoming a joke and I do not want to be a joke or associated with peers that are.