Millennials on the Rise

(click to enlarge comic)


I am without a doubt a “Millennial”. There are many factors and characteristics of being a millennial and while many are applicable there are some that I would have to say do not apply to myself. As a millennial, I consider myself an efficient, multi-tasking, tech savvy individual, as George Rodman described our generation in his book, Mass Media in a Changing World. I, like many of my other peers thrive on our ability to constantly be connected to our family, friends and external community at the touch of a button. Often times when I forget to bring my cell phone to school or work, I automatically feel this anxiety and almost nauseating withdrawal from this separation with my phone. While such a reaction to a moment, God-forbid an entire day, without my prized technological possession may seem absurd, it fully demonstrates just how much of a technology dependent millennial I am.

An article entitled, “Tomorrow’s Consumers”, suggests how we are a mom-dependent generation who believes that if things do not go our way, mommy dearest will fix everything. Such a generalization bothers me. While there is a good amount of individuals who obtain the “mommy can fix it” mentality, I believe that there is a substantial group of people who are independent and are capable of being responsible for themselves. On the same note, it seems to be that it is more of a reflection on the parents who raised the individuals with the "mommy can fix it mentality" than it is on the children themselves. The CBS story entitled “The ‘Millennials’ Are Coming”, described us as a generation hungry for praise and yet at the same time a generation who’s laid back work style lacks effort. Once again, these comments which characterize us as a whole, versus as individuals, frustrates me. Not all parents sugar-coat or try to erase failure. My parents used failure as a teaching tool. They allowed me to fail so that I would learn how to avoid finding myself in the same daunting situation and that is why I do not feel that perception of millennials is accurate. Furthermore, in response to the comment that was made about students having their mother's approach their teachers about grades, I have never once or never will resort to such measures. I have never thought to myself, I deserve an A because I'm paying for it. To achieve greatness you must work hard and be diligent under all circumstances. It has always been to my understanding since a young age that praise and recognition is not something that is readily attainable. It is something that must be worked for and earned and I feel that many of us millennials do just that. While I feel that many of us fit into the characteristics that make us millennials, I feel that is undeserved that many of us are to be referred to or classified as an obstinate, self serving, or lazy.

We are a very social oriented generation and we respond effectively to relational guidance and friendship over dictatorship. In the article " Make a Connection With Tech-Savvy Millennials" it states how we can bridge the gap between our generations. As millennials, we have a lot to offer older generations as do they have to teach us. Instead of getting on each other's cases we should be focusing on what we have to offer the other.