Negativity Toward Millennials
Here I am again writing about Millennials. My previous posts about Millennials have proven to be the most popular of any posts on this blog.
Since I have written the posts, (and of course before writing them) I have read a lot of negativity towards Millennials.
It's been said, do not criticize something you don't understand. When we criticize something we don't understand, we are only indicting ourselves. It is the duty of old generations to try and understand the Millennial generation. Not to criticize them, but to actually engage them to a point of understanding. This is easily accomplish by real listening. Not "hearing them out".
I believe just like every prior generation, if we examine the Millennial generation we will find good and bad. The difference I see in the Millennial generation is two fold.
1. The new digital world. They have grown up in a completely digital world are are very different than any prior generation. So comparisons are fine, but it has to be understood that this generation has some characteristics that you cannot directly compare.
2. The pendulum. Between generations pendulums of thinking shift back and forth. Currently the pedulluum is shifting back towards some good values such as community, charity and love. For a large part these "selfish, narcissistic" Millennials are actually championing and embracing these movements and values. Yes, they have smart phones in their pockets since they were 12 years old, but it is undeniable that in large, there is a resurgence towards charity and love within this generation.
Their goals seem to be less materialistic and more longing for genuine connection, engagement and authenticity. Likely a product of growing up in a all digital world.
It may be impossible to fully understand this generation, but if we try to understand and actually engage them, I think all generations combined can do some powerful things. We need the wisdom of the older generation with the new ideas of the younger generation. It takes willingness for both younger and older people to a) listen to understand, not listen to rebut b) willingness to be flexible and compromising some things for each side.
Millennials may not understand things the previous generations have thought immutable. That is okay. Things change and there will be misunderstanding between generations. It's both normal and okay, but must be navigated under the following principal:
Mutual love and respect is key.
Since I have written the posts, (and of course before writing them) I have read a lot of negativity towards Millennials.
It's been said, do not criticize something you don't understand. When we criticize something we don't understand, we are only indicting ourselves. It is the duty of old generations to try and understand the Millennial generation. Not to criticize them, but to actually engage them to a point of understanding. This is easily accomplish by real listening. Not "hearing them out".
I believe just like every prior generation, if we examine the Millennial generation we will find good and bad. The difference I see in the Millennial generation is two fold.
1. The new digital world. They have grown up in a completely digital world are are very different than any prior generation. So comparisons are fine, but it has to be understood that this generation has some characteristics that you cannot directly compare.
2. The pendulum. Between generations pendulums of thinking shift back and forth. Currently the pedulluum is shifting back towards some good values such as community, charity and love. For a large part these "selfish, narcissistic" Millennials are actually championing and embracing these movements and values. Yes, they have smart phones in their pockets since they were 12 years old, but it is undeniable that in large, there is a resurgence towards charity and love within this generation.
Their goals seem to be less materialistic and more longing for genuine connection, engagement and authenticity. Likely a product of growing up in a all digital world.
It may be impossible to fully understand this generation, but if we try to understand and actually engage them, I think all generations combined can do some powerful things. We need the wisdom of the older generation with the new ideas of the younger generation. It takes willingness for both younger and older people to a) listen to understand, not listen to rebut b) willingness to be flexible and compromising some things for each side.
Millennials may not understand things the previous generations have thought immutable. That is okay. Things change and there will be misunderstanding between generations. It's both normal and okay, but must be navigated under the following principal:
Mutual love and respect is key.
I stand with you.
ReplyDeleteAs a millennial I can be seen as bias and I can't deny that. However, I find peace in this one thing.
To defend my generation is to defend the next one. I promise myself that I will not defend my generation and live to be 45-50 years only to bawk at the next generation. I hope they become better than I ever could be( I'm already seeing signs of this). I hope to know a wonder of their wonders. I hope to be their soundboard, their haven as some have been to me.