We are a generation known as “The Millennials,” also commonly referred to as “Generation Me.” We were born from the year 1980 into the early 2000s. Being a part of this generation, whether we like it or not, we get a bad reputation. Many adults think we are arrogant, entitled, technology obsessed, and have a poor work ethic. We are deemed as unfit for the work place and told that our political views are too liberal. Many believe we as a group are misbehaved, however, studies show that in our generation all youth risk behaviors such as drug use, teen pregnancy, violence, and high school drop outs have greatly decreased over the past fifteen years or so.

It’s true, our generation is very different than all the ones that have come before us. We grew up with technology; we are the first generation that has had it at our fingertips since day one. Adults say we are obsessed, but we have just grown up with it and have always known the benefits technology provides. We have learned how to manipulate it for our own personal use as well as make technological advances that will soon be introduced to the entire world. Sure, we are using technology a great amount and are constantly surrounded by it, but that is what we have always known. We did not grow up in an age where technology was introduced while we were in adulthood, therefore for our generation it is something that is a part of us.

As a group we have learned to value each individual. We are the most accepting and understanding generation that has yet to live. Our social liberal views help us celebrate and include every unique individual into all decisions made. Many of us advocate openly for same-sex marriage, legalization of marijuana, gender equality, race equality, and other important issues. Sure, some of us have our opposing views, but we are able to hear each other out and have proper conversations regardless of our views. Politics is something Millennials as a whole value. Many are going into the field with the hopes to make a major difference in the way politics are run throughout the United States. Millennials are attempting to make a nation wide change in order to get our liberal views heard.

Many of us grew up in broken families. Divorce rates spiked in 2002-2003 and again in 2010-2011. Growing up in homes with arguments at the dinner table and living with one parent has lead many of the generation to dream of being a good parent. As kids we take a lot in. We observe everything and almost everything makes an impression on us. Parenting styles are changing, and as the generation is growing up, many are starting to create families of their own with different sets of family values and different traditions that have been common over past generations. Millennials are determined to have close knit families where divorce is something our children do not have to even think about.

Our nickname, the “Me Generation,” was given to us by our elders and preceding generations. There is a common misconception that we as a group are lazy, entitled, shallow, selfish individuals. There are statistics out there that says we are the most narcissistic generation yet, and while that may be true, we use it to our advantage and we are getting further ahead than any generation ever has before us. We are focusing on ourselves and what we want to grow up to be, not what our parents want us to do or what will make us the most money. We are using the internet to create our own small businesses, our own YouTube channels, our own blogs, and to educate ourselves on any and all topics that interest us. We have learned to manipulate the internet to our own individual abilities to further our education and try to get ahead in whatever industry we choose to go into. We are focused on ourselves and building a future and a life we truly enjoy. So yes, we may be narcissistic, but we are growing as individuals and slowly all 80 million of us Millennials are taking over the world.

So, the next time you go to criticize the Millennials generation, think of how advanced each of us are as individuals, and how powerful we are as a group. Many of us are becoming C.E.O’s in our early 30’s due to our powerful work ethic that adults try to put down. Many of us are becoming internet sensations and making 4 figure incomes at the age of seventeen by uploading YouTube videos twice a week. Sure, we are different from all the generations preceding us, but we are slowly becoming the most powerful and advanced generation yet.