In the past couple months, especially in the past few weeks, I have heard that I am a part of what is now known as the “Entitled Generation.” At first, I was offended by the term “entitled” and in order to fully understand the meaning, I looked it up in the dictionary and the definition stated, “believing oneself to be inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment.” When I read that definition, I laughed. I laughed at that meaning because I saw exactly what the parents of our generation were talking about. Our parents gave us the name of the “Entitled Generation.” For that, I thank them. Thank you for calling out our flaws of feeling that we deserve something that we have not worked for. Thank you for calling out our flaws of thinking that we deserve special treatment for just existing. But with my greatest respect, I do regret to inform you that you are extremely in the wrong for calling my generation “entitled.”

I may not agree with many people in my generation on how they do things but I do have to say that my generation does not deserve the title of “entitled.” The reason being is that I know more hardworking, dedicated, responsible, respectful young adults that you called “entitled” that work for most everything they have earned. I know so many of my peers that never complained a day in their lives and that cringe at the idea that something is just given to someone for doing nothing. I understand if you disagree with me at this point, but hear me out. Yes, I understand that there is a handful of young adults that have made my generation appear entitled, but not all of us fit into that category. In fact, if it was not for the way those people were raised, they may not have been entitled brats in the first place. Behind those sad kids are a bunch of determined, ready-to-succeed young adults who work hard and are willing to embrace whatever opportunity is presented in front of them.

In my life, I have known many young adults that have dealt with a lot more adult problems by the age of 16 than many adults in this world. Whether it was the loss of a parent, financial situations, starting work at the age of 15 (maybe even younger), I know many young adults that you call “entitled” that have truly worked their hardest at just getting by. For those people, I do not categorize you as a part of my “entitled” generation. The one thing you at least deserve is more respect than being called entitled when you actually work your butts off. When you were faced with the unfortunate inconveniences in life, you remained respectful, responsible, mature adults that could have acted out of hand when faced with everything but you did not. And for everything you have been through only to be called “entitled” by the people who trained you to be entitled, I congratulate you for being amazing human beings that will one day change the world.

I do not disagree with the idea of many of my peers acting as if they are entitled to everything. However, before you give a name to my generation look over the facts and realize that most of my generation's population are either at work, studying in schools, or volunteering trying to make this world a better place. So yes, thank you for categorizing my lovely peers and I into the “Entitled Generation.” We will exceed expectations and make our own name for us without your assistance.