The Millennial Generation

The Millennial Generation is once again being castigated in the media as the ‘me, me, me generation’.   This time it is Joel Stein’s article in May 28^th edition of Time Magazine.  It begins with an admission that he is doing what has been done by generation’s prior – accusing the younger generation of being lazy, entitled, selfish and shallow; but before anyone derides him he goes on to say that he has statistics to back up his evidence, stating that the incidence of narcissistic personality disorder is three times higher in this generation then that of the Boomers.  That is as far as I got, because to read the entire article would mean I would have to purchase a subscription online – no thank you, not interested. 

Now, I am not a part of the Millennial Generation.  I was born on the cusp of the Boomer and Gen-X transition depending upon whose data you are going by.  For the most part I identify with the Gen-X Generation much more than the Boomers for a wide variety of reasons that are irrelevant to this blog.  What I can say is that about sixty percent of my friendship base is currently Millennial so I feel compelled to speak out on their behalf.  This amazing group are some of the most talented, insightful and authentic people I have ever met. They question everything – as they should!  This is what makes them the loving visionaries whose social minded ideals propel them toward making a better world than the one they were born into.

Accusations of this sort are nothing new with this trend beginning with the 1960’s – its Flower Children were accused of rebelliousness born out of discontent – those that had been given too much with no sense of appreciation.  Gen-X was treated as the throw-away generation – a lost opportunity, very rarely identified as anything other than an extension of the Boomers.  Those who are now among America’s unemployed/under-employed work force raising families in the face of economic and social difficulties.  Now the trend has moved to point the finger at the Millennial – the Peter Pan generation - those people born in the 1980’s when American prosperity and indulgence was at an all-time high.  

The Millennial Generation is largely in their twenties and the question I would like to ask; who wasn't somewhat entitled, selfish and shallow at this time of life?  These should not be lobbed toward them as inherent character flaws, but an acknowledgement of a real and certain developmental reality.  The twenties lend itself to a time of leaving one’s family of origin, while venturing out into an unknown world trying to figure out who we are and how we fit.  This is a deeply self-reflective time of life that may look self-absorbed, but quite to the contrary is a necessary step toward maturity.  This is not a unique experience to this generation, nor should they be lambasted for circumstances that have been largely out of their control. 

In many ways this generation has been robbed of that development process growing up in a historical backdrop that is filled with economic uncertainty and social unrest; a period of global instability and redistribution of employment opportunities that have kept them from finding positions that are well below their talents and qualifications; or not at all.  Are they resentful?  I would say they have a right to be!  One in two college graduates are unemployed still living with their parents.  This is not only delaying careers, but obscuring their overall vision as they face a future filled with more questions than those that plagued the generations before them.  If the prophecy turns out to be right; and they are a narcissistic generation of lost souls, we only have to look to those who raised them, a generation that were so consumed with economic advancement, they neglected to take account how that might affect future generations.

My personal experience has led me to believe that this generation is going to be one of the finest generations in over a century.  I have met them, spent time with them, been loved by them and believe in them with all of my heart.  So I turn to my Millennial friends to say, I have nothing but the utmost confidence that you will face the challenges life places before you touching the world in profound ways.  You constantly amaze and inspire me with your passion.  You remind me to keep dreaming, to embrace life and to continue to grow in relationship with each other; as well as the world we live in.  Millennials I both love you and salute you!