Generation Y. The Millennials. "The Self-Proclaimed Greatest Generation."
These are all titles society uses to describe my generation. Many describe us as lazy, self-entitled, tech-dependent, and narcissistic. Well, here lies the problem with how society views us vs. how we view ourselves. Here are our five biggest stereotypes and why they've got us all wrong.
1. Millennials are lazy.
Generation Y is compromised of roughly 60-80 million people and to stereotype that quantity of people as lazy doesn't seem logical. Growing up, we were told to take the four-year journey, or more, down the yellow brick road of college, and at the end of the journey, arrive in Oz with a degree and be magically granted employment. HA. I find 'lazy' a funny way to describe our generation because I think we've finally figured out that there is no exact and finite path to success. We have infinitely more opportunities to make an impact and we are finding new ways to pursue them. This does not conform to what we we're told by our parents, but did they really end up that great?
2. Millennials are self-entitled.
As a generation, we are labeled as self-entitled because we got trophies for participating. My biggest question about this stereotype is simple: What is so wrong about rewarding someone for just simply trying and actively participating in something? I do not see the problem rewarding someone with something as small as a medal for showing up and giving it their best shot, and receiving a reward without the expectation or pressure to be number one. Generation Y has been a major catalyst for embracing this active participation and collaboration as an effective method of problem solving. We recognize that working together, instead of competing against one another, provides a faster and more effective solution. We were raised to believe that there are benefits in showing up and participating and that's exactly what we've done as a generation. So, can you really call us self-entitled just because we tried to do something and were rewarded for our efforts? Didn't think so.
3. Millennials are narcissistic.
I learned to use the computer at age 4. Some of my first memories include being on the computer with my dad playing games and learning shapes, colors, and even the alphabet. Computers and technology have changed dramatically from their early days to now and we were there for all of it. We adapted to their new technology with ease, with the introduction of new products, making its predecessor obsolete. Social media is the result of this new technology and it allows us to connect with thousands of people, around the world, with a click of a button. Most people see this as narcissistic, when we view it as connecting with people, destroying the boundaries past generations have faced. We've slowly let down our guard and our privacy with every new friend and follower request, but is that really a bad thing?
4. Millennials will never move out of their parents.
This is probably the most frustrating stereotype of all. Most say that we have no drive or motivation and most see graduates living at home to be a bad thing. Let me explain why living at home after graduation is one of our only options. College expenses do not just include tuition any more, the list is extensive: tuition, books, school supplies, weird universities fees, food, rent, and student loans for most. Student loans are one of the biggest challenges my generation will face. Most college graduates are not employed directly out of college and have massive student loans to pay off with no income to relieve their debt. Living at home allows for us to start saving to pay these loans off and having your mom do your laundry doesn't suck either. But that's not the point. The point is that we are a lot closer with our parents than Generation X was and our parents are super involved in our lives and living with them while still trying to establish ourselves is the best option for most graduates.
5. Millennials are lost.
This is my favorite stereotype of our generation. 'Lost' because we do not fit into a mold. We are aware of the social, political and economic problems that we are now faced with and I think the conception that we are 'with no direction' is just not fair and I think we are proving why. We see what needs to change in the world and we are ready to make it happen. We are not asking for permission. We are finding our own paths to success because they are unique and vary and, unlike societal norms, one size does NOT fit ALL.
This is not a list of reasons why we are the next greatest generation. It is a list of problems the future of our society is faced with everyday just because we were born between the years of 1980-2000. We reject your labels and embrace our unique, individuality to build a community of people wanting to make a difference.
