Truths and Myths of Millennials
We are at a point in time where the utilization of technology is at an all-time high. Being a part of the Millennial generation, we have had the privilege to witness firsthand life before technology along with the quick turnaround of almost everything being accessible at the touch of our fingertips. Growing up I got my first cell phone, a flip phone around $60, at the age of 10. Life was different back then. We would have playdates and play board games or just sit in a circle and talk for hours on end. Now, when you go out to eat you will most likely see a baby sitting in a highchair playing on their own iPad as a source of distraction from the rest of the table. You essentially have no life if you don’t have a smart phone or multiple social media accounts. Everything revolves around technology and the takeover just keeps on expanding.
When it comes to our generation, there are a lot of myths and truths that are spoken about. The Boston Globe Article, “8 myths and 5 truths about millennials”, does a great job at explaining the truths and fallacies of our generation and why. One of the myths in this article that really stood out to me was how our generation is slackers. The article stated the following: “‘By and large, they’re not as driven as my generation,’ retired Morgan Stanley CEO and chairman John Mack recently complained about us. Mack, a rather vocal member of the Silent Generation, is not alone. One survey found that only 55 percent of Americans think young adults work hard” [1]. When it comes to our generation, being lazy is almost what everyone will say to describe our work ethic. I understand where this conclusion stems from, being that we need and want everything instantly. On the other hand, when it comes to the work ethic of our generation, this does not hold true. We live in a world where employment is continuously more and more competitive and if you lack that determination and drive, you are out of consideration. I don’t think we are necessarily slackers; we just do the process in a different manner granted how we grew up and how immense the presence of technology is in our lives. I don’t think that just because we submit an application online or type our work instead of handwriting it makes us any less dedicated than anyone else in the older generations. We instead have the ability to get stuff done faster and most efficiently for everyone involved. This is only one of the countless myths that are spoken about Millennials, but at the end of the day, there are always going to be misconceptions made about us that just aren’t accurate.
Along with the myths of our generation, there are also conclusions made that most definitely hold true. In the article, “The 5 Truths That Define Millennials”, it speaks about the general opinions that do seem to be factual for our generation. One of the truths that stood out to me was how Millennials are hyper-connected. The article explains how “Millennials are an on-the-go and always-on generation. The evolution in technology has enabled them to be connected at all times and everywhere” [2]. Social media is something that is very present in all of our lives. It is a gateway for communication and connection at all costs. No matter where we are in the world, we are made aware of everything that is going on because of our relationship with social media and the internet. However, I don’t necessarily think this is a bad thing. Due to our hyper-connection, it enables us to be aware of what is going on around us and become more educated on it. I understand that our use of social media can sometimes be abused, but I think that in some ways it helps educate us to become more involved. Overall, I do think there is always going to be misconceptions of our generation and the other generations to come. But at the end of the day, some will be myths and some will always hold true whether we are accepting of it or not.
The Technology Driven Generation
It is already evident that our generation, the Millennials, can sometimes abuse the power of social media. In some aspects it can be a benefit because it allows one to put themselves out there and express themselves in a unique and different way. On the other hand, social media can be a burden on some who do not know how to use it properly. In the Forbes article, “6 Ways Social Media Affects Our Mental Health”, it speaks about how much this internet obsession has been a strain on so many of our lives. The article quotes the following: “We fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others as we scroll through our feeds, and make judgements about how we measure up. One study looked at how we make comparisons to others posts, in “upward” or “downward” directions—that is, feeling that we’re either better or worse off than our friends” [3]. With the abuse of social media, the people of my generation tend to put pressure on themselves when it comes to comparing how they look and appear compared to the others they see on the internet. This is a HUGE problem that comes hand and hand with social media. Millennials and the younger generations to come can obviously use it in a healthy and beneficial manner but it will also most likely take a negative toll on self image and mental wellness.
Henry Jenkins, a professor who studies media, quoted the following: “Since they live in digitalized platforms, millennials are often disconnected from the members of the previous generations. For the most part, rather than being community oriented, they are self-centered and self-absorbed. Perhaps, this why they are known as the “Generation Me”. The reason I think there is such a negative perspective pointed towards Millennials is because we are really the first generation who started to grow up with technology. Although it was not completely present when we were in our early years, it was still a huge part of our childhood and an even bigger part of our adult life. Yes, I do think being on so many digitalized platforms make us disconnected. But I also feel that it has changed the way we live our life for the better. We are more aware, more conscious, more alert. We are not the generation of self-centeredness or laziness but a generation who wants to strive with success and knowledge. Social media and technology doesn’t always have to be looked at as something that ruined our generation, but instead should be viewed as something that has helped us become brighter and better.
Citations
Citation 1: BostonGlobe.com. “8 Myths and 5 Truths about Millennials – The Boston Globe.” BostonGlobe.com, The Boston Globe, 24 May 2017, http://www.bostonglobe.com/magazine/2017/05/24/myths-and-truths-about-millennials/lfGryVDq7Vpu1OfFGf77jL/story.html.
Citation 2: “The 5 Truths That Define Millennials.” Ipsos, http://www.ipsos.com/en/5-truths-define-millennials.
Citation 3: Walton, Alice G. “6 Ways Social Media Affects Our Mental Health.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 3 Oct. 2017, http://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2017/06/30/a-run-down-of-social-medias-effects-on-our-mental-health/.
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