Since my last article, I started thinking about who we actually are (as a generation). My boyfriend and I got into a long conversation (ehm, debate?) about it. I also looked us up on Google to get a general consensus - mainly to settle a few points of interest between us. But in the process, I came across some interesting things.
Label Me, Baby!
Otherwise lovingly referred to the Millennial’s or the Trophy Generation, our generation is hard to define. None of us fit a cookie-cutter shape and I cannot seem to find a consistent range of years to put us into, but it appears to be those whom were born between 1981 and 2000.
There is a slew of information across the internet about Gen Y, including studies about what we like, don’t like, how we act and what we want from our lives… even how to “manage us” (imo, worth a good chuckle) but really there is no concrete answer.
Identification, Please
While some of us still need to be carded… there are others who have graduated college, joined the workforce and are having kids of their own.
Here are a few things that our generation identifies with (feel free to add your own):
Here are a few time reference points that stick out in my mind (at 24 years old) and are identified as significant for our generation:
Generation of Change
The point is, we’re different. We have different needs and desires. Different perspectives. Different philosophies, values and morals. They need to be addressed, recognized and accepted.
We choose to do different things with our lives, whether our parent generations understand us or not. We do different things with our time, more focused on social activity of today rather than planning for tomorrow. And we do different things with our money, a product of the way we grew up (I wonder who is to blame for that) and watching our parents live beyond their means (ironically).
And although there is a stereotype associated with our generation, we’re not all catered to, spoiled or sheltered - on the contrary, those are the exception rather than the rule… And true we grew up in a period of prosperity, but we live in a time of war… granted the war is not on our home ground, but last time I checked the names of the dead and wounded were of our so-called Trophy Generation. Add to the list that Gen Y is being handed a broken government system and an economic crisis, all courtesy of the previous generations oversight and bad habits.
Breathe, 1, 2, 3?
Well, so there is also the pent up aggravation… And it’s not just me. Promise. But considering the situations we’re dealing with today and the things that we will probably deal with in the future, can you blame us?
It’s no wonder that people in Gen Y are putting their Trophy skills to use. It just so happens that Gen Y is also quite philanthropic, by helping others and trying to make the world a better place. No it’s not everyone in the Generation, but it’s a significant portion that researchers take notice.
Call us overly optimistic, or call us privileged, but by any other name, we’re still ambitious, confident, realistic, resourceful, and tech savvy. Perhaps this is what makes the stereotype? Or perhaps we’re just an intimidating bunch of newbies for the Gen X and the Boomers?
I’d like to think that we are, but it’s for the best. We need the change. Plus, I doubt that it would be so terrible for other generations to accept that we are different.
After all, how’s that old saying go? Opposites attract…
~K
New to Twenties Money Magazine? Consider Subscribing to our feed and get updated posts right to your reader!
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.
