"Those millennials..."
"Wow, college students are so dumb."
"All of your generation needs to get a grip."
"You guys just need to know God and understand politics."
"Your generation is the problem with the world today."
Ah, the ever encouraging cries of the generations before me! Thank you for your faith in us - I truly appreciate it. Your skepticism makes life decisions so much easier (heavy sarcasm intended).
My generation is not inherently problematic, thank you very much. We are living in a world created by the generations before us - so stop blaming us for what was done by everyone else.
We are a passionate generation, that is for certain. I will be the first to admit that many lack a sense of self control and propriety - however, we can not be entirely to blame for that. I was blessed enough to have parents who instilled these qualities within me, but many of my peers were not. Before completely throwing my generation under the bus, take a look at your own parenting job.
It is insulting to me when I hear other adults generalize my peers. They assume all of us sleep around, drink heavily, and use drugs on a daily basis. They assume none of us actually care about spirituality or personal responsibility...
I'd like to counter this.
Hi, nice to meet you! I'm a current college student.
I have never had a sip of alcohol in my life.
This was my personal decision. Did you know that many of my peers have decided to do the same? And for those that haven't, they drink only in a family setting or occasionally at a party - but they are not out getting drunk every week.
I have never used drugs, nor do I intend to.
Did you know that many of my peers can say the same? And, for my friends who have dealt with drugs in the past, they avoid them now. They are clean. They want nothing to do with them - and that was their personal decision.
I voted in the most recent election.
Did you know that a majority of my peers did the same? Yet, many of our parents were the ones who sat home and complained on Facebook about the nominees. My generation took action - and it was by our own initiative.
I am a current college student, also considered a millennial. I am involved in a church. I am a responsible student. I remain aware of world events and politics. I can tell you about my country and its policies. I can tell you about my God and His power. I am confident in myself, my giftings, and my convictions. I know how to budget my money. I know how to work a job and treat those in authority with respect.
My generation is not some lost cause, deserving of the frustration of those older than us. We are a struggling generation, yes. But it is not our fault that we were never taught.
If you see a problem, graciously teach us a way to deal with it. We are an under-parented, misguided generation who is trying their hardest to navigate the waters of this thing called life.
However, please keep in mind that there are plenty in my generation who are responsible and leading successful, purposeful lives. Some of us were lucky enough to have people walk alongside us through these waters.
