About Millennials

My Take on Millennials
I have been learning about, and analyzing Millennials for the last few years, and I agree with authors Howe & Strauss that Millennnials are pragmatic idealists.

We want to have it all, because we were taught to, because it makes sense to, and because it’s possible.  Having it all does not mean a loaded bank account, a house, a spouse, 2.5 kids and climbing corporate ladders. We want enough money, a job that has a strong vision and flexibility, and good relationships. We want a chance to help bring about change to the many crises we are faced with. We expect innovation and cooperation in the many problems that need solving. We are willing to work to find balance, bring out the potential in ourselves, others, and the communities we live in.

Who are Millennials?
Millennial birth years are roughly 1982-2000, although experts vary on the exact year span. Other sources put the Millennial birth years at 1977-1998. Millennials are distinct from Boomer and GenX generations, and they are mostly children of Baby Boomers, and early GenXers. At best our best we are described as: positive, hard-working, team-players, high-achievers, community-oriented, respectful to authority. At worst we are: lazy, not risk-takers, coddled and immature, whiny- expecting “everything to just work out” in our lives.

Credit: My understanding of Millennials, and other generational studies comes from Millennials Rising, The Fourth Turning, and Generations by Neil Howe and William Strauss. Millennial Makeover and Millennial Momentum by Winograd and Hais, & PEW Research.

To understand the labels given to generations in certain posts, check out my synopsis of Howe & Strauss theory of Generational Cycles.

19 thoughts on “About Millennials”

  1. Loved your write up.
    I am curious though , is your husband truly gen x? My partner was born in the same year and he considers himself to be millennial ?
    I’ve read various sites on this topic but none truly give a precise year of start for this generation. My reading leaves me confused and frustrated at times . I am gen x for sure.

    I’m also curious about your thoughts on gen x interests 🙂

    You have a new follower
    Natasha

    • Thanks Tasha! I love your question, and have written about a (mini)Gap here: http://tinyurl.com/9we2ebp. Like I say in my write-up the birth-years vary. I love exploring the ‘in-betweener’ trends. I think there are some differences that I can observe even in people my brother’s age, born 1981, the last year of GenXers according to Howe & Strauss. My brother went to high school when grunge was still very big, same with my husband. When I was in high school things drastically changed to Britney Spears. My husband went to college pre-Instant messenger, which is foreign to anyone born in the 1980s. Just small trends, but I can see/feel them. BUT on the same token I have friends 5-6 years older than me that I can greatly relate to, and feel very Millennial. Def people born 1970-1975 are GenX in my opinion.

      I wrote about one GenXers negative opinion about Millennials here: http://tinyurl.com/5srrwww. Not to be reflected to all GenXers.

      Thanks for follow. I look forward to your feedback!

  2. Hi,

    I recently read your post “The Millennial vs. The Boomer American Dream” and was hoping you would be interested in reading a piece of my own. A Reasonable Man, a short story, explores the unforeseen reality of the American Dream as it depicts the conflict between sacrifice and success.

    The story can be read free HERE (www.scribd.com/OscarHughes)! It is also available free on iPad, Nook and Kindle.

    Best,

    Oscar

  7. I’m such a millennial lover… and I know it’s bias because I am one! I do love your description of us though, “pragmatic idealists… [who] want a chance to help bring about change to the many crises we are faced with.” That’s perfect! I’ve always thought of our generation as the people who don’t just dream, we act.

  8. Pingback: I’m half-grown along with millennials #happybirthdaytome | So-Called Millennials

  10. Hi Rachel! 🙂

    Thank you for dropping by my blog (http://thegoodbadme.wordpress.com) and liking a post. I appreciate it a lot.

    I am so in love with the way you explained what and who Millenials are and the distinct characteristics of the individuals caught between two known generations (X and Y) . It is truly motivating and pleasant to read/know. Thank you. 🙂

  12. I’ve been doing my best to carve out Generation Y and reclaim it as my own, small generation, leaving Millennial for the younger folks. I’ve been really entrenched in the whole culture of our generation the past couple of years as well. I absolutely love your blog’s title!

  14. As a millennial, I cringe at times when I hear we are spoiled, lazy degenerates. But then I see Kim Kardashian (most followed on Instagram) and all of her millennial followers to only realize, maybe we are degenerates after all.

    – Emily

    (No offense if you are a Kim fan)

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