A Note to Those Who So Believe: Millennials Are Spoiled | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

A Note to Those Who So Believe: Millennials Are Spoiled

Heads Up: You're Wrong

8
A Note to Those Who So Believe: Millennials Are Spoiled
Spiro

A theme I've wanted to keep in my writing is positivity — I'm a true believer that the good comes with the bad, so I always try to emphasize positive outcomes in negative situations and so forth. This time, I am writing to express my feelings about the cruelty of the words spoken by adults so casually in conversation: MILLENNIALS ARE SO SPOILED! Please, allow me to rebuttal. I like my generation. We're more accepting than our older family members, we have opportunity abound, we are all striving to make the world great, and if we're not: we're probably the "millennials" you've been dreading.

I was born in 1995 to middle class parents who could afford to send me to private schools and now out of state college. For the record, I was taught how to use a dictionary, thesaurus, and encyclopedia online and written texts because that was part of the curriculum. I also use my manners that my mother taught me: may I, please and thank you. I know people much wealthier than I, who have experienced many more things, but I've been privileged to experience traveling by myself, figuring out on my own how to get from Canal St. back to Times Square, where the train connects from Waterbury to Grand Central, and where to board my connecting flight in Atlanta after having a direction malfunction on the concord. I've learned many things through having an independent young adulthood, and anytime I could've been deemed irresponsible was a learning experience for me, and there are many, many things I now can do by myself because I'm naturally curious. The imagination IS a wonderful thing.

I just want to say that I speak for a majority of my generation when I say my parents aren't wealthy and I am not entitled. I've paid for most of the things I own unless they were gifts or my grandma gave them to me. I will forever be in debt to my parents for my education and for the independence they've granted me throughout my life. Perhaps I'm a free spirit, perhaps I can be trusted. What I find most important is that I was never babied or told that I couldn't. If I couldn't, I figured out for myself via time-out in my room for hours. I was never hit, so I never became fearful of people. I belonged to a working class family, and my sister who is eight years older than me, for as long as I can remember has been working; I believe I was raised to understand that I won't have anything handed to me.

Anyone who is in college right now is either considering moving back with their parents because the cost of living is so high, or graduate school because a bachelors degree doesn't have the value it did when our parents were in college. Graduate school is so expensive, if you're lucky enough to get a graduate assistantship that pays your tuition, that's likely the only way many of us can afford graduate school. Point being, anyone in college has higher competition now than EVER before. People who claim "millennials are spoiled" probably watch the news, but have obviously missed the segments about tuition prices increasing, entry-level jobs demanding higher education and the competition we face in almost any industry we're studying or trying to pursue. How spoiled ARE WE? Because I know my mommy and my daddy aren't getting me in where their friends work. I know many people my age who are paying their own college tuition; try telling them millennials are spoiled!

Of course, every day at WVU I can observe what people mean by clustering boys and girls who are aged 18-22 as spoiled. I really wonder how some of these people have massive Michael Kors bags, four door Rubicon Jeeps (obviously totally jealous because I want one so bad) and still manage to afford college and probably a sorority or fraternity. I just know that's not how my life is, or ever could be at this time in my life. Or the people I serve a 'venti frappuccino' to every day at the cafe, I wonder how they afford it? Well if you know a millennial who exhibits entitlement, they were probably raised that way (I'm not saying that having a nice car and big hand bags correlates to entitlement, but maybe). I hate seeing, "These millennials are spoiled," and I hate hearing it IN CLASS from teachers. It's funny that we're spoiled with the INTERNET but you're not complaining when you use it! That's the best part, everything we're "spoiled" for, parents or people over 40 take advantage of, too. When our parents were 20 years old, they had things their parents didn't have when they were 20, too. But their parents probably didn't whine about it. Or they did, and that's where all the whining came from. Millennials reading this: don't ever complain how you hate when adults say, "Millennials are so spoiled," then turn around and do it to your kids, the point is to stop the trend. I just wanted to reach out and express how petty it is when people say that. As if it's our fault we grew up in this time of advancement of electronics and handheld devices. There's also more exposure to culture now more than ever! There are opportunities for learning and experiences offered everywhere. Note: we didn't ask for this, actually; the world is just advancing.

I'm asking every adult who has probably said, "Millennials are spoiled," or felt this way to rethink what you're saying. I understand you're not "growing up" in this time, but you're still part of it; you still have your iPhone to play on and your morning news to watch in color, but leave us millennials alone. Because we're going to take over someday, and our kids are going to be way more advanced than we are. It's the way of the world, and the only thing we can do is help it; humanity has done nothing but advance with time. And, we're smarter than you think; don't underestimate us.

Disclaimer: I thoroughly believe that each individual is like a snowflake (let me be cliche). We're all humans made from the same substance, but we are so intricate and unique in nature. If I over generalize, don't cry, okay? I'm just going to point out the obvious, because I like to throw things into the atmosphere that are so commonly overlooked and no one bothers to rebuttal — and if they do it's not in a civil, well articulated way, there's always a fight; causing further miscommunication and mistrust in millennials.

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

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

13345
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
college

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

5858
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

4348
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Signs You Live At The Library As Told by 'Parks And Recreation'

A few signs that you may live in the library whether you'd like to admit it or not.

3833
brown wooden book shelves with books

Finals week is upon us. It is a magical time of year during which college students everywhere flock to the library in attempt to learn a semester's worth of knowledge in only a week. For some students, it's their first time in the library all semester, maybe ever. Others have slaved away many nights under the fluorescent lights, and are slightly annoyed to find their study space being invaded by amateurs. While these newbies wander aimlessly around the first floor, hopelessly trying to find a table, the OGs of the library are already on the third floor long tables deep into their studies. Here is a few signs that you may live in the library, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments