Gen Y yuppies unhappy
Replies
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I think this article is interesting, and certainly thought provoking, but an oversimplification.
It's convenient to take a snapshot of Generation Y--or any generation--at a certain age, and typecast them by the worst traits of that age. But that would be as misguided as saying, well, you know how those kids born after 2010 are! They're so selfish, entitled, and they really lack self-awareness! Forgetting the point that, well, they're toddlers. I'm not saying Gen Y are the same as toddlers, just that, in general, being in your twenties and thirties brings about a different attitude--one full of possibility and the need for self-preservation--than being in your 50s, 60s, or 70s does. Your priorities are different, and that's true of any generation.
How much of entitled, self-scented behavior is a trait based on age and maturity in general, is my question--and secondarily, is it really useful to compare Gen Y to ones who have come before? We have the benefit of hindsight for previous generations, taking the whole span of their lives into context and, to some extent, romanticizing them in on the way. The Greatest Generation endured the Great Depression, fought in WW2, developed industry and unquestionably built the US into a superpower. It was also one of the most racist and misogynistic generations, close-minded and homophobic. The Japanese Internment camps, racist propaganda, Admiral Halsey's command to "Kill Japs, Kill Japs, Kill more Japs!" Greatest, indeed.
The Baby Boomers came into adulthood in the midst of one of the strongest economies in the history of our nation, and left it... well, where we are now. A college education cost pennies compared to what it costs now, and "pounding the pavement" actually was a legitimate way to get a job--a career job, mind you, one that could support a family. Now that they are coming into retirement, as a generation they will draw much more heavily from government benefits than any generation before. Yet they also were civil rights pioneers, the inventors of personal computing, and gave us some really great music. They were deeply idealistic--and yet, somehow, they turn around and condemn the next generation for behaving precisely the same way. Gen Y is blamed for so many things, and yet 58% of Senators and 63% of Representatives are baby boomers. Surely they're not responsible for the issues facing us today, but neither, wholly, is Gen Y. Your move, guys.
The point is, each generation must be taken in context with the world in which they lived, the circumstances of their development, and a realistic acceptance of the good and the bad. If Gen Y is idealistic and brash and entitled, then it's because they have been forced to adapt to a rapidly-changing world where old business adages and tried and true methods just don't work anymore. Gen Y knows how to multitask and shift gears better than any generation before. They know how to see connections, gather information, network both on and offline. If they stay at home with their parents or wait longer to marry and leave the nest, it's because housing prices are so out of their reach, a living wage is difficult to find, and it's financially responsible to save until you can afford a down payment. My husband and I were diligent and saved up to buy a home, thinking we were doing the right thing; in the following two years, it lost so much value that there's no way we will ever see that money again. And you blame Gen Y for not wanting to throw money down the drain? No thanks.
Gen Y gets a lot of crap, and some of it is justly earned. But some of it is out of context, and taken with a bigger picture, the criticism isn't always justified. If we were raised to believe that we were special snowflakes--which, by the way, is an attitude that I rarely encounter in my peers--then who raised us that way? Gen Y has fought, what, four wars for America? In the midst of a financial depression? While inventing new technologies and becoming entrepreneurs and researchers and scientists and leaders? Hmm.0 -
"Gen Y gets a lot of crap, and some of it is justly earned. But some of it is out of context, and taken with a bigger picture, the criticism isn't always justified. If we were raised to believe that we were special snowflakes--which, by the way, is an attitude that I rarely encounter in my peers--then who raised us that way? Gen Y has fought, what, four wars for America? In the midst of a financial depression? While inventing new technologies and becoming entrepreneurs and researchers and scientists and leaders? Hmm. "
Exactly, I think it depends on what micro-cosm of society you are looking at. If you look at the people I went to HS with then sure, College, not so much, Military - rarely at all...most of us grew up without participation trophies and had to work for what we recieved.0 -
I read this article the other day. I think one thing it doesnt address are some of the economic changes. The need to have more, living off credit, and a high rate of inflation.
some of the disillusion comes from working so hard and still living paycheck to paycheck.
I feel like you hit the nail on the head here. Economics have to tie into this. And thinking ahead, makes the future look especially scary for the world our children will live in... Even HIGHER inflation, inherited debt, outsourced job or positions replaced with technology.0 -
Part of the problem is a lot of Gen Y look at past generations and disregard the hard work and years of experience and have the expectation they should be promoted, rewarded, awarded, acknowledged etc. just because they have been doing the work for a short period of time. There is a difference between doing the work for a short period of time and gaining multiple years of experience to fulfill the requirements of higher level positions, rewards, awards etc. Another problem is the expectation of being rewarded for doing what they are supposed to be doing in the first place and being upset because they are not getting what they want as fast as they want it or as fast as they feel they deserve it. I acknowledge that not all people in Gen Y act like this, but it does seem to be the majority. (I also acknowledge this is not limited to Gen Y)
But you can't deny that the business environment has changed since our parents were working. I mean, it used to be that you could work for the same company for years knowing full well that there will be a pension waiting for you when you are ready to stop. In this era, the individual is responsible for taking care of the future. And there are many other ways in which modern business has abandoned their greatest asset, the employee, and as a result, Gen-Y is embittered because they are not receiving the same benefits for the same amount of effort that their parents received.
Oh, I do not deny that the business environment has changed from previous generations and individual responsibility is a very important aspect for the future. Yes, modern business is different now than when our parents were working. However, I am positive that previous generations had to endure many things (harsher than Gen Y), but the difference is they worked their behinds off and got the job done. My point was that some of Gen Y (and other generations) have the expectation of things being handed to them, simply because they did part of the job (or task) or because they did what they were supposed to be doing in the first place. While previous generations were able to start and retire from companies, buy homes, have families, wife did not work outside of the home etc. We have to acknowledge they still worked hard for everything they had and did not expect things to be handed to them simply for doing their job. (And again….I acknowledge that not all people in Gen Y act like this)0 -
"Gen Y gets a lot of crap, and some of it is justly earned. But some of it is out of context, and taken with a bigger picture, the criticism isn't always justified. If we were raised to believe that we were special snowflakes--which, by the way, is an attitude that I rarely encounter in my peers--then who raised us that way? Gen Y has fought, what, four wars for America? In the midst of a financial depression? While inventing new technologies and becoming entrepreneurs and researchers and scientists and leaders? Hmm. "
Exactly, I think it depends on what micro-cosm of society you are looking at. If you look at the people I went to HS with then sure, College, not so much, Military - rarely at all...most of us grew up without participation trophies and had to work for what we recieved.
Ding ding ding. I was raised to believe that I was special BUT it was up to me to work for it and do the best with what I had. Also, the baby boomers had their period of disillusionment as well - the sixties, the seventies recessions and then the eighties boom.0 -
I did not think Gen Y were born in the 70's? I thought that was Gen X and Gen Y started in mid-80's?
Yeah I think Gen X is universally thought of as including all 70's babies and even a couple years into the 80's, and then Gen Y began!0 -
I did not think Gen Y were born in the 70's? I thought that was Gen X and Gen Y started in mid-80's?
Yeah I think Gen X is universally thought of as including all 70's babies and even a couple years into the 80's, and then Gen Y began!
There isn't an exact line. I have traits of both and I was born in 76.0 -
There is a line, though. There is an official definition. I posted it earlier. 1966-1980 is Gen X. 1981 begins Gen Y.I did not think Gen Y were born in the 70's? I thought that was Gen X and Gen Y started in mid-80's?
Yeah I think Gen X is universally thought of as including all 70's babies and even a couple years into the 80's, and then Gen Y began!
There isn't an exact line. I have traits of both and I was born in 76.
Then there's the Milleniums, but I can't remember exactly when that starts. I guess if we're doing 14-year spans, 1995.0 -
Somebody has to make the sandwiches. Do your best to make sure it's not you (unless you like making sandwiches).0
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Part of the problem is a lot of Gen Y look at past generations and disregard the hard work and years of experience and have the expectation they should be promoted, rewarded, awarded, acknowledged etc. just because they have been doing the work for a short period of time. There is a difference between doing the work for a short period of time and gaining multiple years of experience to fulfill the requirements of higher level positions, rewards, awards etc. Another problem is the expectation of being rewarded for doing what they are supposed to be doing in the first place and being upset because they are not getting what they want as fast as they want it or as fast as they feel they deserve it. I acknowledge that not all people in Gen Y act like this, but it does seem to be the majority. (I also acknowledge this is not limited to Gen Y)
But you can't deny that the business environment has changed since our parents were working. I mean, it used to be that you could work for the same company for years knowing full well that there will be a pension waiting for you when you are ready to stop. In this era, the individual is responsible for taking care of the future. And there are many other ways in which modern business has abandoned their greatest asset, the employee, and as a result, Gen-Y is embittered because they are not receiving the same benefits for the same amount of effort that their parents received.
Oh, I do not deny that the business environment has changed from previous generations and individual responsibility is a very important aspect for the future. Yes, modern business is different now than when our parents were working. However, I am positive that previous generations had to endure many things (harsher than Gen Y), but the difference is they worked their behinds off and got the job done. My point was that some of Gen Y (and other generations) have the expectation of things being handed to them, simply because they did part of the job (or task) or because they did what they were supposed to be doing in the first place. While previous generations were able to start and retire from companies, buy homes, have families, wife did not work outside of the home etc. We have to acknowledge they still worked hard for everything they had and did not expect things to be handed to them simply for doing their job. (And again….I acknowledge that not all people in Gen Y act like this)
You know, to be fair to Gen-Y, the Baby-Boomers have had their time, their struggles, and the opportunity to prove their worth. For the most part, Gen-Y has yet to demonstrate their ability to persevere as they are currently still enduring the struggles of their generation. It's not really fair to say that the "Great" generation and the Baby-Boomers had overcome so much more than Gen-Y has had to when Gen-Y is just getting started and the other generations are coming to their ends. Think about it. Mankind has always had to fight for survival, always had obstacles to overcome, and that's not really going to change from one generation to the next. The only thing that will change is the nature of those obstacles.0 -
There is a line, though. There is an official definition. I posted it earlier. 1966-1980 is Gen X. 1981 begins Gen Y.I did not think Gen Y were born in the 70's? I thought that was Gen X and Gen Y started in mid-80's?
Yeah I think Gen X is universally thought of as including all 70's babies and even a couple years into the 80's, and then Gen Y began!
There isn't an exact line. I have traits of both and I was born in 76.
Then there's the Milleniums, but I can't remember exactly when that starts. I guess if we're doing 14-year spans, 1995.
Gen·er·a·tion X
noun
noun: Generation X; plural noun: Generation Xs
1.
the generation born after that of the baby boomers (roughly from the early 1960s to mid 1970s), often perceived to be disaffected and directionless.
I have yet to see a consistent hardline and that topic has actually been the subject of many sociology papers and discussions.0 -
I've seen it defined more than once. But it isn't important enough for me to keep arguing. :-)
There is a line, though. There is an official definition. I posted it earlier. 1966-1980 is Gen X. 1981 begins Gen Y.I did not think Gen Y were born in the 70's? I thought that was Gen X and Gen Y started in mid-80's?
Yeah I think Gen X is universally thought of as including all 70's babies and even a couple years into the 80's, and then Gen Y began!
There isn't an exact line. I have traits of both and I was born in 76.
Then there's the Milleniums, but I can't remember exactly when that starts. I guess if we're doing 14-year spans, 1995.
Gen·er·a·tion X
noun
noun: Generation X; plural noun: Generation Xs
1.
the generation born after that of the baby boomers (roughly from the early 1960s to mid 1970s), often perceived to be disaffected and directionless.
I have yet to see a consistent hardline and that topic has actually been the subject of many sociology papers and discussions.0 -
The main reason why Gen Y kids are unhappy is not because they think they're special so much as the economy sucks for most of them. Our economy is more and more just a handful of big winners and the rest getting nothing.0
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I haven't finished reading yet, but I have to say....the diagrams are just cracking my **** up :laugh:0
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this article is dead on.0
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BUT I'M THE ONLY SPECIAL SNOWFLAKE0
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I've seen it defined more than once. But it isn't important enough for me to keep arguing. :-)
There is a line, though. There is an official definition. I posted it earlier. 1966-1980 is Gen X. 1981 begins Gen Y.I did not think Gen Y were born in the 70's? I thought that was Gen X and Gen Y started in mid-80's?
Yeah I think Gen X is universally thought of as including all 70's babies and even a couple years into the 80's, and then Gen Y began!
There isn't an exact line. I have traits of both and I was born in 76.
Then there's the Milleniums, but I can't remember exactly when that starts. I guess if we're doing 14-year spans, 1995.
Gen·er·a·tion X
noun
noun: Generation X; plural noun: Generation Xs
1.
the generation born after that of the baby boomers (roughly from the early 1960s to mid 1970s), often perceived to be disaffected and directionless.
I have yet to see a consistent hardline and that topic has actually been the subject of many sociology papers and discussions.
I have seen it defined multiple ways which supports my argument
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I've seen it defined more than once. But it isn't important enough for me to keep arguing. :-)
There is a line, though. There is an official definition. I posted it earlier. 1966-1980 is Gen X. 1981 begins Gen Y.I did not think Gen Y were born in the 70's? I thought that was Gen X and Gen Y started in mid-80's?
Yeah I think Gen X is universally thought of as including all 70's babies and even a couple years into the 80's, and then Gen Y began!
There isn't an exact line. I have traits of both and I was born in 76.
Then there's the Milleniums, but I can't remember exactly when that starts. I guess if we're doing 14-year spans, 1995.
Gen·er·a·tion X
noun
noun: Generation X; plural noun: Generation Xs
1.
the generation born after that of the baby boomers (roughly from the early 1960s to mid 1970s), often perceived to be disaffected and directionless.
I have yet to see a consistent hardline and that topic has actually been the subject of many sociology papers and discussions.
I have seen it defined multiple ways which supports my argument
There's an argument here? Who cares?? The article didn't even recognize Gen-X in the first place.0 -
The main reason why Gen Y kids are unhappy is not because they think they're special so much as the economy sucks for most of them. Our economy is more and more just a handful of big winners and the rest getting nothing.
Yes, I think the economy > age/generation when it comes to a coorelational relationship to general unhappiness.0 -
I burst out laughing so many times during that article... Yup, the GYPSY's are generally spoiled and entitled (that also points the finger at the generation who raised them). And the ones that I know that are raising children, are raising ever more entitled little monsters. The future is grim indeed.0
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You know, when I came out of college, the economy was pretty stinking bad, too. And every year for as far back as I can remember, in April-July, the news has always been filled with, "The job market for new grads SSSSUUUUCCCKKKKKSSSSS!!!!!"
I don't feel like this is that new. I worked briefly for an attorney in 2001 who represented banks foreclosing on houses and that one attorney took on literally 900 new foreclosure cases in a single month. It was a terrible, terrible economy and it was the economy in which I had to make my post-grad way. I had that job (it was awful) and before that, I worked in medical records for a neurology practice. I wasn't using my degree and I made crap.
I ended up going to a job at a small weekly newspaper that requred a degree and paid less than the two previous jobs. But it got me the experience I needed to move up to where I am now, which is a helluva a lot farther than I was 12 years ago.
Is the job market kinda lousy? Sure. But as it always was, you can't expect to start at the top and a lot of kids in this generation (not all) do expect to do just that. They expect the six-figure salary and huge house right out of college. No generation before got that.0 -
I burst out laughing so many times during that article... Yup, the GYPSY's are generally spoiled and entitled (that also points the finger at the generation who raised them). And the ones that I know that are raising children, are raising ever more entitled little monsters. The future is grim indeed.
Kids are entitled little buggers to begin with. It is their default setting and must be beaten out of them.0 -
I burst out laughing so many times during that article... Yup, the GYPSY's are generally spoiled and entitled (that also points the finger at the generation who raised them). And the ones that I know that are raising children, are raising ever more entitled little monsters. The future is grim indeed.
Kids are entitled little buggers to begin with. It is their default setting and must be beaten out of them.
I LOLed at this. I do agree thought.0 -
I burst out laughing so many times during that article... Yup, the GYPSY's are generally spoiled and entitled (that also points the finger at the generation who raised them). And the ones that I know that are raising children, are raising ever more entitled little monsters. The future is grim indeed.
Kids are entitled little buggers to begin with. It is their default setting and must be beaten out of them.
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:0 -
I just read this this morning. I'm in that category, and I sort of agree... It really hit home.0
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I agree with so much of what has already been posted. I'm 38 and the youngest of 5 kids. My parents were born slightly pre-baby boomer (they were middle aged when I was born in the 70s). My dad worked two jobs, one of which was the 2nd shift. I only saw him on the weekends, because he was at work when I woke up and at work when I got home from school. My mom also worked two jobs, once we were in decent enough shape where they could afford a second used car. Point is, they worked their a**es off, my whole life, and they lived within their means.
When I started looking at colleges toward the end of high school, it was very clear that attending the college of my dreams (or pretty much any college) was not something I would be doing. My parents didn't make enough $$ to save for me to go to college, and by the time I graduated high school, they'd paid enough off of our mortgage that I didn't qualify for any financial aid, save the unsubsidized stafford loans. I worked 2 jobs after high school, attended classes at night for 3 years at the local community college to get a crap 2 year degree that has done nothing for me. Because I knew my financial limits and what I could expect to make at a job after college and still be able to pay my loans and apartment rent. I learned hard work and fiscal responsibility from my parents.
My husband and I marrried at 23, bought our first house at 25. We still don't make glorious sums of money, but we don't live beyond what we can afford and still put away a little money when we can for our girls' college tuition someday.
I have a niece who is finishing her Master's degree in "non violence" right now at age 23. She posts a lot of fun articles and memes on Facebook about student loan interest rates and how the country has failed her generation, leaving them saddled with loans they can't pay because there are no jobs to be found. She just got her first ever part time job, by the way.
I apologize - I didn't mean to turn this into my personal story or a whine, just the differences between my experience and the current generation of kids starting out in the world. My sister and her husband insisted that my niece needed a master's degree to be competitive. They seem to think she is also entitled. The bottom line? I think it really comes down to the parents and what kind of work ethic. Be honest with your kids. The economy sucks. You might not walk into a 50k job the day you graduate. You might want to get a steady job and take a few extra years to finish that degree at night. But they want it all and they want it now. The only solution I'm working with at the moment is teaching my kids to go after what they want and be cognizant of the cost of getting there, and make absolutely certain you will be prepared to pay for it.0 -
I think this article is interesting, and certainly thought provoking, but an oversimplification.
Gen Y gets a lot of crap, and some of it is justly earned. But some of it is out of context, and taken with a bigger picture, the criticism isn't always justified. If we were raised to believe that we were special snowflakes--which, by the way, is an attitude that I rarely encounter in my peers--then who raised us that way? Gen Y has fought, what, four wars for America? In the midst of a financial depression? While inventing new technologies and becoming entrepreneurs and researchers and scientists and leaders? Hmm.
I like what you wrote. Gen Y's are an interesting generation. This is the age group that actually has experienced a drop in the number who know how to drive or even want to own a car, money or climbing the corporate ladder are not what motivate this generation to work it's life quality vs quantity, every lay person has access to advanced technology, they know how to use technology and are not afraid of advancement, they have access to all knowledge, marriage is not a goal for most, they are a generation that accepts and can adapt to all cultures and lifestyle.0 -
Part of the problem is a lot of Gen Y look at past generations and disregard the hard work and years of experience and have the expectation they should be promoted, rewarded, awarded, acknowledged etc. just because they have been doing the work for a short period of time. There is a difference between doing the work for a short period of time and gaining multiple years of experience to fulfill the requirements of higher level positions, rewards, awards etc. Another problem is the expectation of being rewarded for doing what they are supposed to be doing in the first place and being upset because they are not getting what they want as fast as they want it or as fast as they feel they deserve it. I acknowledge that not all people in Gen Y act like this, but it does seem to be the majority. (I also acknowledge this is not limited to Gen Y)
But you can't deny that the business environment has changed since our parents were working. I mean, it used to be that you could work for the same company for years knowing full well that there will be a pension waiting for you when you are ready to stop. In this era, the individual is responsible for taking care of the future. And there are many other ways in which modern business has abandoned their greatest asset, the employee, and as a result, Gen-Y is embittered because they are not receiving the same benefits for the same amount of effort that their parents received.
This is what I was thinking when my father completed his electrician's apprenticeship back in the 70's within a year of working (little experience) he was able to purchase a house, property, a car, and have a stay at home wife. His union had a stronger influence and could demand more pay and had excellent benefits and an insurance package. Both of my Grandfather's had excellent pensions from GE and a public works company. My Grandpa barely completed his high school education, but still had a good paying job that allowed his wife to stay at home, raise 4 boys, travel, new cars, a home, boat, and motor home.
If my father completed his apprenticeship now he couldnt expect the same return for his minimal work experience. My Grandfather as a lineman with minimal education probably wouldnt see those same results today. If anything he might even be denied the job because he lacked the technical experience that is required today.
The way you are saying this though makes it sound like the older generations had a much greater sense of entitlement than we do.0 -
I burst out laughing so many times during that article... Yup, the GYPSY's are generally spoiled and entitled (that also points the finger at the generation who raised them). And the ones that I know that are raising children, are raising ever more entitled little monsters. The future is grim indeed.
Kids are entitled little buggers to begin with. It is their default setting and must be beaten out of them.
I know that this is kind of a joke, but there is a lot of truth in those words.0 -
The main reason why Gen Y kids are unhappy is not because they think they're special so much as the economy sucks for most of them. Our economy is more and more just a handful of big winners and the rest getting nothing.
Yet most Gen Y kids own $90 a month smartphones that cost at least $200 up front, $500+ HD televisions, several video game systems, a laptop, a desktop, a tablet, etc etc etc. Of course the economy sucks though because after buying all those things they can only afford a used car that's two years old instead of a brand new one.0
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