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I found this to be an interesting read:
Ask Stacy: The Millennials Are Ruining This Country. What Can We Do?
Money Talks News| By Stacy Johnson |Sept 30 2014 11:29 am EDT
We’ve got a lot to worry about. Terrorism. A gridlocked government. Global warming. Ebola.
Oh, and then there’s young people.
Here’s this week’s reader question, which is really more of a request:
I think someone needs to explore the subject of the workforce crisis posed by the millennial generation. These kids are so unmotivated, undisciplined, illiterate and distracted, it poses a danger to the financial security of this country and workforce security as more of these kids move into adult jobs. Some parents have trained these kids to mistreat their elders and bad-mouth their co-workers/customers. It is almost like working with an alcoholic, they are so distracted from their work due to their problems. These kids, even nearing their 30s, are still supported by parents and absolutely act like they have nothing to lose as their parents are enablers, supporting their every firing, unplanned pregnancy, overspending emergency and drunken driving arrest without question. — C
Who are the millennials, and why are they so bad?
First, let’s define who we’re talking about. While there’s no precise definition, millennials are widely considered to be those now ranging in age from 18 to 33.
C begins his comment by saying, “I think someone needs to explore the subject of the workforce crisis posed by the millennial generation.” Well, C, here’s some good news. It’s been done. A lot. As one example, here’s a snippet from a 2007 article from CBS News.
They were raised by doting parents who told them they are special, played in little leagues with no winners or losers, or all winners. They are laden with trophies just for participating and they think your business-as-usual ethic is for the birds.
Here’s another, from a 2012 article in The Washington Post:
"These are the kids, after all, who text their dads from meetings. They think “business casual” includes skinny jeans. And they expect the company president to listen to their “brilliant idea.” When will they adapt?
While comments like these make great fodder for TV and cocktail conversation, start by considering the source: old people.
I suspect those doing most of the complaining are from my generation, the baby boomers. If so, it’s particularly amusing, considering that when we were young, many of us were growing our hair, smoking dope, starting communes, rioting, streaking, engaging in sport sex, and marching on Washington for reasons ranging from war to women’s rights.
If memory serves, my parent’s generation didn’t think any of this was a great idea. They were as convinced as C seems now that we were all the same and as a group would amount to nothing, except perhaps a drain on society."
And this is the way I suspect it’s always been. My parent’s parents probably thought.
The point is, before we start complaining, let’s remember that older generations have always freaked out about the next few. And yet, here we are.
They really are different
People differ. Differences often translate into mistrust, which all too often morphs into disapproval. This is human nature and has always been true, whether it’s woman vs. man, black vs. white, Muslim vs. Christian or boomer vs. millennial.
And millennials are different. A few months ago, Pew Research published an article comparing the attitudes of today’s young adults with those of boomers. Some interesting findings:
*A third of millennials between the ages 26 to 33 have at least a four-year degree. That’s the most educated this age group has been in the history of the United States.
*Only 26 percent of millennials are married . At the same age, nearly half the boomers were.
*55 percent have posted a “selfie” on a social media site . That’s about the same percentage of boomers who know what the term means.
*Just 19 percent of millennials agree with the statement, “Most people can be trusted.” Forty percent of boomers do.
My personal experience with a millennial
We’re a small company, employing only a handful of people, including one millennial. Is he different from me? You bet. For example, when he first began working here at the ripe age of 21, despite my constant badgering, he seemed incapable of starting work any earlier than noon. Granted, he often programmed until 5 a.m. But I kept insisting he go to bed earlier and work traditional hours. I can’t remember how many times I threatened to fire him.
When we disagreed, he spoke to me in tones that would never have entered my mind when I was in his position, apparently blissfully unaware that I was both his elder and his boss.
That was about 10 years ago. Today, only I have worked here longer and make more money than him.
There are three simple reasons our relationship worked out, despite our different perspectives. The first is compromise. For example, we agreed that he could keep his own hours, but should I need him at 8 a.m., I could always call and wake him up, no questions asked. As far as communication, as with most people who either like each other, need each other, or both, we worked at it.
While we still occasionally disagree, we get along. Very well, in fact.
The second reason is why I was willing to compromise. It’s this: The more valuable you are, the more flexible I am. My millennial is super talented. I couldn’t run this site without him, so I looked for a way to make it work.
Every generation has nincompoops who can’t get it right. Every generation also has people who are talented, dedicated and ambitious.
The third reason: Despite the fact that older generations are hopefully wiser, younger generations aren’t always wrong. My generation was right to question the status quo, and so is today’s. Just because I work 8 to 5 in an office doesn’t mean you can’t work from dusk till dawn at home. Or have tattoos, long hair or no hair. Just get the freaking job done.
So fret as much as you like, fellow older folks, but I’ll reserve my worry for more pressing matters. In the end, all generations will find a way.
After all, other than starvation, isn’t that our only option?
