Millennials Have Bigger Plates Than Previous Generations | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Millennials Have Bigger Plates Than Previous Generations

This is not about obesity or newest clean eating craze.

22
Millennials Have Bigger Plates Than Previous Generations
Pexels

Millennials are have entered, and are rapidly still entering the workforce, or not. Millennials love to define themselves, which is odd considering the term "millennial" wasn't even coined by millennials. It was coined by baby boomers, given to separate generations by years they were born, and as time goes on, characteristics they share.

Millennials have quickly become the most educated and diverse generation, yet people are so quick to say that all they want are participation trophies.

Trophies that we never asked for, and didn't want in the first place.

Having broad general statements about millennials especially ignores the fact that this generation has a vast array of communities and identities in it that other generations did not have.

Furthermore, though millennials have grown up with luxuries such as the internet and more easily attainable education, and better education, that doesn't change the fact that there are new and mounting pressures for the generation to face. Considering millennials the "laziest" generation blatantly ignores the fact that most jobs now require far less manual labor than they did in the times of the greatest or silent generation, and now are more doable out of the office. Email, phone calls, and other documents are able to be handled at home or at a coffee shop now.

Millennials are a generation driven by, well, drive. The "hussle" and the "grind" are typical terms heard among millennials now, who are enrolled in college, had taken multiple AP classes, were involved in sports, band, JROTC, did community service, took foreign languages, studied abroad, and are now either balancing jobs while paying student loans or doing what their own parents told them to do: not grow up too fast. There is nothing wrong with seeing the world you were given to see, or finding a way to lead a meaningful or impactful life. There's nothing wrong with being involved politics, which previous generations seem to love to criticize, since this involvement is in a way they did not expect it to be. There is nothing wrong with feeling like there is always something better you can do, there is always something to gain from seeking improvement.

To claim millennials seek instant gratification and confidence through likes via various social media outlets may be true, but forgets that these social media outlets also spread diversity, acceptance, and new ideas with various body positive movements.

But still, you have individuals who pride themselves on not being millennials, which oddly enough is the very thing that makes them a millennial. An identity that differs from the masses. This generation is incredibly diverse in worldviews, sexuality, genders, and ideas. From what I have observed in the short time I have been alive and the very small amount of people I have met, millennials are probably faced with some of the most daunting tasks yet: to fix an economy they had nothing to do with, to save the planet, to find the cure to diseases such as AIDs, to decide what is morally right or wrong in ways that didn't exist for previous generations (abortions, gay marriage, transgender rights etc.), to fight what they think is right that goes against decades of racism, sexism, and misogyny, and furthermore, to deal with the everalsting criticism of previous generations, and those who while being very millennial themselves, saying they are not a millennial, and do not believe special snowflakes, while in turn being one themselves.

Millennials are not currently romanticized in ways that prior generations are, such as the 80's with great music, movies, and abundant drug use, or the 40's and 50's with good old American values (excluding racism obviously). Millennials romanticize their own generation, with Saturday morning cartoons, Third Eye Blind, and Polaroid cameras, all while inventing a code that can do their 9-5 and stare at a computer screen all day style of job. There's nothing wrong with that, and there never will be anything wrong with that. Call it becoming "soft" or realizing there are problems that need to be fixed, and fixing them as opposed to saying "boys will be boys" or "that's the way it's always been"- because that's not the way it always has to, or needs to be.



Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190635
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

15131
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

458026
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26715
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments