At the end of a recent interview I did for an article on Gen Y, the twentysomethings of today, the reporter said to me, "Out of all the people I interviewed, you are the only one who had anything positive to say about this generation." That comment inspired this post. Today's twentysomethings are often labeled as entitled, immature, needing constant validation, self-absorbed, lacking a work ethic and respect for authority. While there is some truth to those stereotypes, too much focus in being put on what's wrong with Gen Y rather than leveraging what is so great about this global generation who are evolving far beyond their labels.
At 33 I am on the cusp of being a Gen Y but fit more into the category and shared characteristics of Gen X. However in my work as an author, life coach/counselor and speaker primarily dedicated to supporting people during their twentysomething decade, I see that there is a lot more to Gen Y than they often get credit for. It's time to highlight the positives that this generation brings to our society. Hopefully these insights may change your perception of your Gen Y employee, child or colleague. And give twentysomethings encouragement to disprove some of your less desirable stereotypes.
Gen Y is a unique generation with the same naivety and self-focus that is typical of the first decade in adult life. The characteristics that often give them a bad reputation, especially in context of work, are not necessarily their fault. Generally, they were over-parented, over-praised and overstimulated. They are doing the best they can given where they have come from. And now they are entering a grownup world created by preceding generations that is not so inviting. In a decade or two this is all going to fall on their shoulders, so why not celebrate and encourage what makes them unique, and quite possibly the ones who are going to change things for the better.
Follow Christine Hassler on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Christinhassler
|
Post a Comment
Sloane rangers, Hipsters, Generation lost, generation y, emos, punks, hippies, baby boomers...........Why is it that anyone and everyone needs to be stereotyped based on their behavior or dressing or the year they were born ?
You say generation Y are the curious, wanting to get free types....Well who in their 20 isn't ?
The counterculture generation with their free love slogans and joint smoking anti war ideals were in the 60s,the suited money obsessed yuppie kids also had their own worldly ideals in the 80s.
It is more to do with genetics and the way of life than blatant stereotypes-When you are young you are prone to take risks, as you grow old and realize that life is tougher than expected you settle down................My blabbering is not for this article which is pretty well put but its a gross stereotype none the less.......I have seen generation Y'ers who hate technology and embrace the wilderness and live in the 50s and 60s inside their heads.
I am 24 but I do not wish to be a part of any "generation" or subculture-Let me be who I am as an Individual and not let society and trends govern me
I think a lot of the criticism is right on. I went to a top-tier private college (feel free to take shots at me for saying it), and half the kids in my graduating class four years later are still "playing" college (and not in the good way, like working on their PhD, in the living in a nasty apartment with four other sloppy kids, asking their parents for money and smoking pot all day/drinking all night kind of way).
I think part of our problem is that the baby-boomers (our parents) were so (relatively) affluent, and in general kept their work at the office (even if they traveled a lot) that there's a generation of kids used to a six-figure standard of living, with no concept of what it takes to make that kind of money. Instead, we'd rather just invent the next facebook.
In response to HerrMonk: Clearly, the Gen-Yers you discuss are the normal bunch of wealthy brats that happen in any generation. My friends and I were mostly lower middle class (our parents earned way less than six-figures) which means all or most of our student loans went on our backs. Most of us worked through school and had to make sacrifices to work unpaid internships. This posting definitely describes us. Maybe the lazy people who you describe are the ones who get the amazing jobs and employers complain about. Maybe employers should give chances to real Gen-Y workers instead of someone who parents have connections.
Personally, I attend a state school on academic scholarship and, if this miserable economy permits, will hold a job while doing so, as I hate asking my parents for money.
silly silly silly. but even if there wasn't colleges don't fail us in that way/arent trying to turn everyone into activists.
LONG LIVE ALL PEOPLE! ™
ok, let me try again
(its hard when i dont know what i'm saying that keeps getting me comment from being allowed to be seen)
is there a glitch in the system, perhaps?
its a fair statement that i'm making
ok, let me try yet again...
nothing personal
but gen x is waaay cooler than gen y
(although, having said that, the black chick in "they are just cool to be around" is super beautiful !
so... yeah
is there a glitch in the system?
its a fair statement.
ok, let me try again...
nothing personal
but gen x is waaay cooler than gen y
(although, having said that, the black chick in "they are just cool to be around" is super beautiful !
but gen x is waaay cooler than gen y
(although, having said that, the black chick in "they are just cool to be around" is super beautiful !
but gen x is waaay cooler than gen y
(although, having said that, the black chick in "they are just cool to be around" is super hot !