Millennials Have Bigger Plates Than Previous Generations
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Millennials Have Bigger Plates Than Previous Generations

This is not about obesity or newest clean eating craze.

21
Millennials Have Bigger Plates Than Previous Generations
Pexels

Millennials are have entered, and are rapidly still entering the workforce, or not. Millennials love to define themselves, which is odd considering the term "millennial" wasn't even coined by millennials. It was coined by baby boomers, given to separate generations by years they were born, and as time goes on, characteristics they share.

Millennials have quickly become the most educated and diverse generation, yet people are so quick to say that all they want are participation trophies.

Trophies that we never asked for, and didn't want in the first place.

Having broad general statements about millennials especially ignores the fact that this generation has a vast array of communities and identities in it that other generations did not have.

Furthermore, though millennials have grown up with luxuries such as the internet and more easily attainable education, and better education, that doesn't change the fact that there are new and mounting pressures for the generation to face. Considering millennials the "laziest" generation blatantly ignores the fact that most jobs now require far less manual labor than they did in the times of the greatest or silent generation, and now are more doable out of the office. Email, phone calls, and other documents are able to be handled at home or at a coffee shop now.

Millennials are a generation driven by, well, drive. The "hussle" and the "grind" are typical terms heard among millennials now, who are enrolled in college, had taken multiple AP classes, were involved in sports, band, JROTC, did community service, took foreign languages, studied abroad, and are now either balancing jobs while paying student loans or doing what their own parents told them to do: not grow up too fast. There is nothing wrong with seeing the world you were given to see, or finding a way to lead a meaningful or impactful life. There's nothing wrong with being involved politics, which previous generations seem to love to criticize, since this involvement is in a way they did not expect it to be. There is nothing wrong with feeling like there is always something better you can do, there is always something to gain from seeking improvement.

To claim millennials seek instant gratification and confidence through likes via various social media outlets may be true, but forgets that these social media outlets also spread diversity, acceptance, and new ideas with various body positive movements.

But still, you have individuals who pride themselves on not being millennials, which oddly enough is the very thing that makes them a millennial. An identity that differs from the masses. This generation is incredibly diverse in worldviews, sexuality, genders, and ideas. From what I have observed in the short time I have been alive and the very small amount of people I have met, millennials are probably faced with some of the most daunting tasks yet: to fix an economy they had nothing to do with, to save the planet, to find the cure to diseases such as AIDs, to decide what is morally right or wrong in ways that didn't exist for previous generations (abortions, gay marriage, transgender rights etc.), to fight what they think is right that goes against decades of racism, sexism, and misogyny, and furthermore, to deal with the everalsting criticism of previous generations, and those who while being very millennial themselves, saying they are not a millennial, and do not believe special snowflakes, while in turn being one themselves.

Millennials are not currently romanticized in ways that prior generations are, such as the 80's with great music, movies, and abundant drug use, or the 40's and 50's with good old American values (excluding racism obviously). Millennials romanticize their own generation, with Saturday morning cartoons, Third Eye Blind, and Polaroid cameras, all while inventing a code that can do their 9-5 and stare at a computer screen all day style of job. There's nothing wrong with that, and there never will be anything wrong with that. Call it becoming "soft" or realizing there are problems that need to be fixed, and fixing them as opposed to saying "boys will be boys" or "that's the way it's always been"- because that's not the way it always has to, or needs to be.



Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

55156
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

35533
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957610
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

185004
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments