What comes to mind when you think of a millennial?

I am not sure, but I know how the generation I belong to is portrayed.

We are lazy. We are entitled narcissists. We are so wrapped up in our phones that we have forgotten to have sex.

...Not exactly rousing support of the generation that has overtaken the Baby Boomers as the largest living American generation.

Despite all the negative press, the idea of the lazy, entitled millennial never resonated with me. Yes, I too am a millennial, but that’s not what makes me doubt that claims and accusations levied about us (despite the impressive sources and graphics).

My friends are hard-working college students, balancing debt, paying rent, two jobs and full class loads. They don’t look at success as a given. They have unwavering moral convictions and plans to help the world. They want to be independent, get married, start families. They are not the immature, spoiled, overgrown children that I see described over and over again, in everything from CNN, Times, and (usually poorly rendered) memes on Facebook. This got me thinking: what does the research really say? Are most millennials not like the ones who I know and love? Do we deserve all the hate?

Here is some of what I found:

Millennials have over 1 trillion dollars of debt.

45 percent of millennials believe it is a privilege to have a decent paying job.

75 percent of millennials see themselves as unwilling to compromise their family and personal values.

41 percent of millennials always listen to managers' instructions (a higher percentage than the previous generations).

84 percent of millennials believe making a positive difference in the world is more important than professional recognition.

So, my hunch was confirmed; a lot of millennials are like my peers. So where does the fear come from? It could be the distrust of the next generation that is seen whenever there is technological innovation (like when people thought the printing press was going to end civilized society). I am convinced, however, that this fear is more ideological than technological.

More millennials than ever think marriage is obsolete.

39 percent of millennials have a tattoo (or more than one).

65 percent of millennials believe that no phone or computer would be a greater disruption to their lives then if they didn't have a car

I get it; we are different than generations before. But why is that a bad thing? You say that we are lazy, entitled and narcissistic, but yet, we're not without our supporters, and our champions. Instead of writing off my generation, tell me how to fix it. Help build us up, don’t just tear us down. Like it or not, we are here to stay.

What comes to mind when you think of a millennial?

I see myself. I see my friends. I see an imperfect, well-meaning, quarter of our country fighting to pay off debt, to get an education, to start and support a family.

That’s just me, though.