A recent video has gained significant attention on social media for its statements regarding the “problem” with Millennials. This video has kicked off a back-and-forth between those defending Millennial values, and those pushing against them. This isn’t a new video with new comments regarding Millennial values, and it hasn’t started a new wave of argument, in fact, what is most upsetting about this back-and-forth is that it is still happening. Everyone is still arguing about the “problem” with Millennials, but there is no “problem” at all.
So what is the perceived “problem” with Millennials that sets them apart from the previous generations? Mainly, this generation's values; what is perceived as laziness, instant gratification, and a lack of responsibility. Many people who complain about Millennials see the Millennial values as significantly different, and in that way, significantly “worse” than the values of previous generations. Values tend to stem from the events of society and the world around us. Because of this, Millennial values are different from the values of the generations before us. We cannot say, though, that their values are any better or worse than any other generation; they simply follow the way the world is at the time, and that is neither good nor bad.
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If we compare Millennials to the three generations* before us, and their worldly and societal influences, we can understand how their respective value systems emerged. Beginning with the Traditionalists born between 1900 and 1945, this generation was alive during WWII, The Great Depression, The Korean War. Raised with strictness, structure and frugality through these hardships, the Traditionalists followed their parents rules all the way into prosperity with New Deal and The Space Age. Because of their humble beginnings and rise to the top as they grew with the structure of their families, they saw, and learned to associate discipline and patience with success. Because of this, this generation values their families, patriotism, rules and civic duty.
From the Traditionalists to the Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964, this generation shifted its values towards fighting the things that caused their parents to suffer. The Traditionalists taught the Baby Boomers the concept of “The American Dream”, and that if they work towards what they want, they can have anything. Because of this, this generation was wildly ambitious. This generation saw the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the Sexual Revolution. They were born Post War, and saw all of the damage war created for their parents, and sought to put an end to it. Their values centered around anti-violence, community, optimism and equality.
Thanks in part to the Baby Boomers high divorce rates, and non-traditional values, the next generation, Generation X born between 1965 and 1980 had a different set of values. This generation lived through the Energy Crisis, Duel Incomes, and single parents, shaping their values around seeking self-sufficiency, independence and balance.
Generation X saw their divorced parents, and as a result, put emphasis on their own children; The Millennials. The Millennials were pampered and sheltered children because of their parents desire to raise them as the “best” they can be paving their values for achievement, competition and success. Thanks to growing up in the world of Digital Media though, Millennials were “shocked” out of their sheltered childhoods and able to witness happenings beyond their own small communities thanks to the popularity of media, making them privy to problems around the globe, and enhancing their desire to question the world. Because of this, Millennials value education, civic duty, and achievement.
What we can see from every generation’s value system is that it is a direct effect of society and the changing world. So how is it that the values of the Millennials can be a “problem” if they are only a product of their world? Well, they aren’t.
How we “work” is often a topic of criticism, for example. People believe Millennials have “lost” good work ethic, but the truth is the work ethic is still good, it’s just different. Previous generations have valued labor jobs, loyalty to a company, and appreciation for the position one is in. This generation, though, through technology, The Digital Age, and a generation of informed and educated people, doesn’t need the same work ethic.
Labor jobs are replaced with technology, The Digital Age allows Millennials to see problems and want to fix them, and our parents emphasis on going to college has made us value education more than work. Because of this, Millennials value upward mobility, expanding knowledge, change, and success; and none of this is a “problem” because, inevitably, as society changes, people and their values do too.
Those who take problem in the Millennial’s values are often trapped in dangerous regression based thinking. They believe that the past was better, and want to return. This is a common issue, as people don’t like change, but it is not rooted in reality (everything changes), it is rooted in fear. People that think regressively are afraid of the future; the unknown.
They want comfort in what they know, and it upsets them to see a world taking a “risk” by uprooting previously placed systems with the hope that positive change will come from it. The fact is, though, we cannot “go back”. Life only moves forwards, and despite our fears we have to take risks and move forward hopefully, positively. Without risk and mobility towards the future, nothing gets done, and even the possibility of improvement goes away. Without change, nothing can better.
What society needs to do instead of thinking regressively, trying to halt change, and wishing Millennials had the same values as previous generations, is be thankful that they don’t. Be thankful that Millennials have adapted to the inevitably changing world, and are seeking knowledge and coming up with new ways to improve the world. Trust that there is no “bad” generation, and that each one’s values are vital to improving the world. Instead of fighting Millennials and dividing the world, unite and invest in them; show them that they are valuable and that you appreciate, and have hope in, what they have to offer. They are going to lead the world soon, and it is important that they do not waste their skills fighting intolerance against them, when they could be using their skills to improve life for us all.
*All information regarding generational differences was obtained from: http://www.wmfc.org/uploads/GenerationalD ifference...
