The millennials.
The generation of technology. The generation of a new age. The generation of a new mentality.
This mentality is not a good one, to say the least.
As a young adult, I have seen the world around me change as I transitioned from a child using a desktop computer to a young woman with her life on her iPhone. Everything we want is within a button's reach. A simple touch of a screen makes our lives easier and fast moving. Everyone and everything is on the go.
The generation of children and teenagers right now absolutely terrifies me. Their future will be intensely different than ours. The typical childhood is engulfed with iPhones and tablets that are worth hundreds of dollars but they throw them around like toys. Children play inside, on their couch and in front of their television.
With this new way of life, young people have it easy. They do not have to work hard to complete simple tasks. They do not have to go out of their way to speak to someone or order food, because that's what messaging is for. Young people are digital natives, which seems like a great thing. It definitely have its benefits, but this situation is deteriorating society.
The mentality of entitlement is the new black. The attitude of "What about me?" is now acceptable. Everyone feels they deserve a participation trophy. Lastly, people get offended... by everything.
Many millennials express entitlement. Research has shown that the up and coming generation does not work hard for companies unless they receive something in return. Young people feel that they do not need to work for what they have, they should just have it. Why? Well, they have everything at the touch of their fingers without actual interaction, so why do they need to work for respect or a reputation? Why do they need to prove themselves? They have their life preset on their social media profiles, so that should be enough, right? *Sigh*
Arguments for free college and equal rights are relevant in this day of age, but who will work for these things? Why are millennials expecting to be granted these rights without working for them? Where is the "American dream" mentality?
Another relevant argument is the participation aspect of life. The debate of a "participation trophy" is rocking the nation, as people fight over the idea of giving children a participation award for sports, school and things of that nature. Why are we buttering children's self esteem by telling them congratulations for trying in life? Although positivity is necessary for an idea to resonate in a child's life, giving a child an award for everything good they do will create a generation of people expecting to always get a pat on the back for doing well. Life does not work this way, unfortunately. So, why is this way of life being taught to the next generation?
Last, but certainly not least, there are obviously many controversial issues in this world today. Many of these issues may always stand as unsolvable because not everyone will accept the same issues as important to them. In this case, someone is always going to be hurt, unhappy or disappointed. The ongoing trend of this generation is the aspect of people becoming offended. Everyone and anyone is offended by something, but millennials are vocal and want a fight. They want equality. But, will getting offended ever contribute to the race to equality?
Everyone has different views, different experiences and different struggles. Without getting sensitive, emotional or offended, we must mold this generation to be strong. We must teach this generation what we know. We must remind this generation of what we have dealt with through our lives that have led us to the point were at today.
But, in the mean time, this is why I am scared for our generation.
