They have been called the Millenials and Generation Y by some: the "Go-Nowhere Generation" and "Generation Why Bother" by others. The researcher in charge of a new and ongoing national survey on the generation claims, however, that whatever you might call them, this most recent American batch, ages 18-29, are not the slacking, uninterested, overgrown adolescents they've been labeled.
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett is a research professor in psychology at Clark University who has been studying this age group for over 20 years. He analyzed The Clark University Poll of Emerging Adults and also coined the term "emerging adults," now used by many social scientists, to describe the life stage.
Arnett evaluated the poll's 1,029 answers to questions regarding participants' lives: where they're going, how they're feeling and what they want from it.
"I think this survey is valuable in giving a broad perspective on what [they find important]," Arnett told The Huffington Post.
The researcher acknowledged the many negative stereotypes about these "emerging adults," but maintained that he has never agreed with the stereotypes and feels vindicated by national data he says proves his point.
Arnett specifically points to a question concerning independence.
"This group is said to be lazy," Arnett said to HuffPost, "but 75 percent said they're trying to be independent and don't like relying on their parents, even though most of them need to for most of their twenties." (Six percent reported frequent financial support from their parents, and 31 percent said they receive support "occasionally.")
Another question pointed towards Millenials' idealistic tendencies. Some 85 percent of respondents said they would prefer a job that made a difference.
"It's not just about having money and forgetting about everybody else," Arnett said.
What of the other survey results? About 56 percent say they often feel anxious, and 33 percent often feel depressed. Close to 60 percent say, "adulthood will be more enjoyable than my life right now."
In some cases, the participants' answers often contradicted one another, suggesting conflict.
"What I find fascinating is that the majority of them can say, 'I feel anxious,' but that 85 percent say life is fun and exciting," Arnett said. "This fits what I've seen in interviews. It's both things! They feel excited, but they're anxious with how things are going to turn out -- where they are going to fit in in the world."
These traits of cautious optimism produce few older fans. Recent columns in the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times criticized the generation for its alleged wayward childishness.
"Sometime in the past 30 years, someone has hit the brakes and Americans — particularly young Americans — have become risk-averse and sedentary," wrote Todd G. Buchholz and Vicorial Buchholz back in March for The Times.
Similarly, Bret Stephens of The Journal "congratulated" graduates in May for "exertions that — let's be honest — were less than heroic. [M]ost of you have spent the last few years getting inflated grades in useless subjects in order to obtain a debased degree." Stephens pulled no punches. "Please spare us the self-pity," he grumbles.
Arnett said that this type of criticism is puzzling to him but not unpredictable.
"It's very mysterious to me, and I've thought about it a lot," he said. "I think part of the answer is that it does take longer to grow up than it used to, to finish your education, to find a stable job, to get married and have a first job. So I think the baby boomers and other older adults look at emerging adults and say, 'there must be something wrong with them. They're not doing these things when I was doing them, and therefore, they're lazy. They're stupid.'"
Arnett said it may be time to tone down the criticism. "Older adults are still comparing them to a standard that really is obsolete," he said, "and really not fair anymore."
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.