Some years ago, a relative and I talked politics and Millennials’ feelings of entitlement. I was a people-pleaser then, not really understanding precisely what Millennials are. The memory haunts me, more so on a daily basis with the current president than it has any other time since. The “misunderstood” narrative annoys me relentlessly, but I have to pull the card: Millennials are the most publicly misunderstood generation.
At least, that’s what a Forbes article claims—but considering technology today compared to before, the claim contains some accuracy.
We’re the most diverse, best-read, connected and open to change, technology-advanced generation to date, on our way to being the most educated.
Marketers despise us because we are most influenced by those with whom we can relate. Unlike our elders’ history with celebrities, we know their recommendations mayn’t be genuine. We value endorsements and recommendations from peers in the form of social media moguls, vloggers, bloggers—influencers we trust and relate to. We’re specimens as a consumer base.
We’re “a generation of page-turners”, out-reading our elders—and we probably cured the “libraries are dying” epidemic that happened earlier this decade.
“The youth aren’t lazy, they’ve been given technology by previous generations and they know how to leverage it.”
~ Richie Norton, “Destructive Millennial Myths”
Millennials are going to change the world for the better. Many of us already are.
To paint narratives of us that we’re lazy and don’t understand the value of hard work is harmful, keeping us in jobs wherein we’re going to be mistreated until we’re depressed and suicidal. We rebel by challenging old ways instead of accepting them as-is. We’re annoying hippies, prioritizing sustainability and green living with our shopping.
Moreover, illustrating Millennials as the worst generation known to man shows a lot about character and true colors. ‘Tis not Millennials who are more addicted to 21st century technology, but the elder generations.
Note: I use Millennials as a generalization in this context. Not every Millennial may be like any of these things, but then it’s important to consider that you may not know someone in your life as well as they think you do, if you’re a generation prior to the Millennial one and find this inaccurate—they could very well have a blog and/or be talking about all sorts of things you wouldn’t dare do at their age, like review a new menstrual cup and say the word “vagina”.
Love this post?
Support me by subscribing to my blog and/or buying me a cuppa:
