Millennials and Generation Z have gotten a bad reputation. Those born after 1980 have become known for being entitled, unprepared for the real world, and technologically dependent. You do not have to search long before you come upon an article talking about how millennials are more concerned with social media and avocado toast than buying houses or starting careers.
As a result, the young people of this country are frequently discounted by their elders based on these generalizations. However, I believe that what others see as our faults, are some of our greatest strengths.
As someone who straddles the gap between millennial and Gen Z, I can say that there is some truth to the stereotypes that surround these generations. We are concerned with our personal image in a much different way than previous generations.
Many of us feel unprepared to begin professional careers and have no idea what to do with our money. I know that I far more attached to my iPhone than I should be.
I can see how these characteristics can be viewed as flaws, but I would argue that many of these traits are unrealized strengths that are entirely unique to our generation.
One of the largest differences between millennials and Gen Z and the rest of the population is that we grew up in the digital age. Perhaps our attention spans are shorter, but we have an innate understanding of our ever-changing technology. What must be taught to those older, comes naturally to us. It is no secret that technology is the new frontier.
For better or for worse, tech is only becoming more important and it is the young who are equipped to navigate it.
In addition to being tech-savvy, young people have a particular aptitude for social media. In many ways, social media is a practice in vanity. The selfie is quite literally self-centered. Despite this, I think that social media is a tool that the youth have figured out how to use the best.
Sharing feelings and experiences is a natural human compulsion. It is how we form relationships and make sense of our own lives. Social media is just a platform for this. Instead of just learning from those near you, we now have the opportunity to witness the daily lives of people all over the world.
Can you really blame young people for their obsession with information when the whole world can be unlocked with just an app?
Millennials are often criticized for their values and the way we spend money. When it comes to jobs, millennials usually say that they are looking to work somewhere creative, where they feel appreciated and can make an impact. The desire to feel fulfilled is a change from what other generations. Those older than us usually just wanted stability and financial security out of their careers. I believe that Millennials want this as well; it is just far harder to find now.
The job market is not what it used to be. We grew up or were just beginning our careers when the stock market crashed in 2008. The recession has had serious implications on what employers are able to offer as well as on the psyche of the young. We are far less likely to find jobs that can actually offer us the job security that we would like.
So, if stability is not an option, enjoyment becomes a necessity.
There are many aspects to the average young person, and our generation as a whole, that I think get overlooked. Together, Generation Z and the Millennials make up 48% of the U.S. population. We are more multicultural than any generation before us. We are more educated than any age group in history with close to half of college-aged students attaining postsecondary degrees. The women of this age have more job equality than ever before. As a whole, we are far more accepting of differences than our predecessors.
Thanks to the internet and social media, we have been afforded a greater understanding of the world because of our exposure to it. We are more informed, aware, and diverse than any other group in history.
Our open-mindedness, tech skills, and ability to be so self-aware and still recognize the value of the many is unparalleled. Our unique set of skills and perspectives on the world are needed in order to move forward in today's world. It is a mistake to underestimate us.