You hear this term every-so-often and yet you still wonder what is meant by the word "millennial." It sounds as if we are from another planet, but a recent study from PEW research found that only 40% percent of millennials even identify with the word "millennial." With this term comes a negative connotation for the members of "Generation Y" (another term they like to refer to us as) of being "entitled" or "lazy." The age you must be in order to be considered a millennial is between 18 to 34 years old. The credit for this term goes to no other than Neil Howe, who first coined it in the mid 90's and wrote Millennials Rising in 2000.
Now that I've given you some background information, what does it truly mean to be a "millennial"? Many people believe that we are quite misbehaved, but in reality, drug use, teen pregnancy, and youth violence has decreased over the millennial age. You often hear people say, "Young people don't care about anything. They're unmotivated, selfish, and don't realize what's going on around them." But, contrary to popular belief, you often see younger people caring about things that don't even effect them in the slightest bit.
Millennials also have a high level of confidence and are highly optimistic about long-term future goals; we have been raised to believe we can do anything we set our minds to. We really do believe that things get better. A survey in 2010 found that while 31% of millennials said they already earn enough money, 88% said they believe they will earn even more in the future and possess a large role in society. Other characteristics of millennials are being politically engaged, technologically savvy, well educated, but the best power we hold is diversity. We are the most ethnically and racially diverse generation in American history.
As of 2008, 58% of millennials were Caucasian and 42% were a minority, but by 2020 these numbers are predicted to be 55% and 46%, almost equaling out. Millennials view diversity as a way to be united instead of "Identity Politics." As millennials, our diversity will be the hardest thing our generation has to face: meaning the ongoing racial, homosexuality, and religious differences. While the rest of our nation seems to focus merely on these things, we are more focused on moving forward. We want to oversee these obstacles, and, to me, that's what makes the millennial age so beautiful.
