When it comes to criticism, no one else hears it quite like our generation (or basically any Kardashian). It seems like almost every day, a different news channel, teenager specialist or parent-turned-author is delving into today’s young adults. They say we’re lazy and don’t know how to work. We’re obsessed with our phones; we can’t look away or stop texting.

Even more, we’re completely consumed with what’s on our phones — Instagram, Facebook, VSCO. Pictures are more important to us than the places they’re of or the people posing in them. We’d rather watch Netflix than go outside or talk to people. They worry for our future, saying we’re doomed in the real world trying to get real jobs and do real work.

Well, I say they’re wrong.

To those who believe in the inevitable failure of today’s young people, there are a few critical things you fail to see about why we really aren’t as destined for defeat as you think.

Consider our obsession with technology. I will admit, we’re addicted. I can’t tell you a single person I know without an iPhone and a love for social media, but this need for technology is one of our biggest strengths. Our world becomes more digitized every second, largely from the creativity and innovation of our generation. Technological understanding is now critical in getting ahead and staying informed, and it’s only going to become more important in the future. With that said, no one understands technology better than people my age; we’ve become so talented in quickly understanding new programs and apps, which is ultimately what will someday be the complete basis of a workplace. So even though our emphasis on and prevalence of technology is changing, the working world is changing and advancing just as we are. We’re staying informed on every new edge of technology, which is ultimately necessary in getting ahead.

Now, for the pictures. I know the selfie stick doesn’t reflect too well on us in terms of self-absorption, but think about why we’re using them in the first place. We love to capture photos in the best way possible; it’s a part of human nature. But the reason we feel the need to take cool pictures, edit them with three different apps, and post constantly is because there is a constant pressure to do so.

Each of us has a social media reputation, no matter how much we don’t want one. It’s a part of life now, and it’s something that most young people see the need to uphold. In terms of Snapchat, it’s just another form of communication; eventually there will probably be some new, hip app that will replace it, but for now, sending selfies is just a way of keeping in touch with friends and doesn’t necessarily mean we compulsively have to take pictures of ourselves (most of the time).

I think the biggest problem I have with our generation’s stereotype is when people say we’re incapable of hard work or don’t know what it even means to work hard. The reality of hard work for people my age is that it means something completely different than it ever has in the past. The difficulty of school, at both the college and high school level, is capable of completely burning out even the most motivated person’s flame.

Homework, exams, standardized tests, papers, you name it. Every year, more and more is expected out of the student, and with a constant pressure to succeed academically, working hard for people my age means putting heavy focus on school. Standards for the “average student” get heavier and more loaded each year. It’s no wonder we need to veg out for a couple hours and watch a few episodes of our favorite show on Netflix.

We need the downtime.

But even so, we have part-time jobs, full-time jobs, work at home, clubs, sports, or service. We are putting in the time and effort to prepare ourselves for the working world, which is more competitive than ever, but it comes at the cost of devoting all of one’s time and energy to school. If anything, it’s making us even more prepared for the future, as there is no stress that quite compares to having three tests and two papers due on the same day, with three meetings before any work can get done.

We work hard. Really hard.

I’m proud of my generation; just have a little faith in us. We won’t let you down.