No one hates the sh*t millennials take more than I do. My dad and I get into heated debates about this generational divide. My main issue is every generation complains about the generation to follow; regardless of what generations we are discussing, everyone seems to think their generation is the best.
This is clearly just a disconnect across time periods.
One huge misunderstanding is that the ones complaining are also the generation who raised the millennials. They don’t seem to take any blame for our “laziness” and “sensitivities,” yet they held our hands and gave out participation trophies during the most important learning periods in our lives.
Millenials are “bad in the workplace” and expect leadership and raises for no work say the Generation Xers. But the youthful ideas and ability coming from the millennials are most likely just frightening to the older generations. The technology advancements made in the millennials lifetime are incredible and at times scary for the older less technologically savvy groups of adults.
It all bottles down to envy. The younger generation is always more aware and able to achieve more because time has moved forward and improved. Millennials are more aware of rights and equality for all people. We have a different understanding of beauty and the role of women, and we live in a time filled with pop culture and access to all things through the internet.
We set goals and we work to achieve them. Who cares if we want a bean bag in the workplace. We are just as eager as past generations to gain success. Of course, the older generations are going to be envious that the world continued to progress, leaving this new generation with more knowledge.
It is important to remember this is the relationship all different generations will share. What I hope the generations can understand is that support and praise of the generation holding the future in their hand can go a lot further than the insults and hatred.
Generation X had their chance in the hot seat to help the world grow. Now they need to get on board with where they left the world for the Millennials to take over, and how they can be of assistance with the plans of our future.