Project IV

The year is 1999. The personal computer and the internet have become commonplace in homes across America. Britney Spears and boy bands dominate the airwaves, and the increasingly prevalent “soccer moms” dominate the roadways. The generation of people growing up during this dynamic period are justly referred to as the Millennials. Most being the offspring of Baby Boomers, the Millennials, or Echo Boom, now make up nearly one-third of the U.S. population. A look back at the social climate of the time shows how the perfect storm of the Millennial generation came to be. The 1960’s and 70’s were marked by the invention of the pill, a spike in divorce rates, and the proliferation of “latchkey kids”. In the time of the Millennials, however, adoption, fertility drugs, the second golden age of Disney animation, and proliferation of extra-curricular activities fostered a celebration of children across the nation. The doting parents of Millennials, as well as Mister Rogers, endlessly told children, “you’re special” and “you can be anything you want to be” (The Echo). Living in an environment saturated with this rhetoric and growing alongside the internet have shaped this generation into what defines them today.

The idea that “you can be anything you want to be” has led to this generation departing from the one company, one job ideology of the Baby Boomers. Now, Millennials continually search for the job that has the best pay, perks, and experience. Changing careers many times and having a lengthy resume is becoming the norm. This is in stark contrast to the mindset of Boomers such as Daniel’s father in the novel Microserfs. Daniel comments that, “it must have been so weird - living the way my Dad did - thinking your company was going to take care of you forever” (Coupland 17). Echo Boomers are unfamiliar with the idea of sacrificing for the company and are instead focused on securing that perfect dream job that they believe is out there waiting just like Mister Rogers had said.

Many Millennials really do think they’re “special”, and in some ways they are. As a group, their multitasking and technical skills are like none before them. Growing up with the web has lent itself to Millennials being more resourceful and efficient in navigating and finding pertinent information in an endless ocean of web pages. Additionally, through the advent of texting and social networking sites, this generation is more comfortable and practiced in the art of electronic relationships. For example, the transition from a business email conversation to an in-person meeting is seamless. However, being “special” does have an ugly side. Parents naturally expected the best from their inherently exceptional children and pushed them to do well in athletics, music, karate, academics, dance, etc. A sense of mission and structure was put into Echo Boomers’ lives that programmed them to please parents and teachers. As Morley Safer claims in 60 Minutes, this nurturing has begotten a workforce that is high maintenance, high performance, and believes in their own worth. In other words, he contends that “narcissistic praise hounds” are taking over the office (“The ‘Millennials’).

These stereotypes of the Millennial generation, however, fall apart when applied across demographical lines. Ms. Nunez, a single, Hispanic American woman, posted a comment on CBSnews.com in response to the 60 Minutes episode. She explained that as the youngest of a lower income family of eight, she did not enjoy playing in the little league, going to dance class, or receive regular coddling as depicted in the article. In reality, Nunez had to work since was 15, put herself through graduate school, and developed a work ethic and appreciation for her job that is the utter opposite of what her generation is portrayed to possess in the 60 minutes special (“The ‘Millennials’). Additionally, many families were not able to afford a computer or cell phones for each child. Therefore, not all young people had the opportunity or means to become the stereotypical tech savvy, self-centered Echo Boomer. As a result, these characteristics are better applied to families with high incomes and high expectations.

A look at popular music can also provide some basis for deciphering what different generations are all about. The previous generation, Generation X, is often characterized as especially individualistic and rejecting rules and formalities (Thielfoldt and Scheef). Accordingly, the Grunge music craze of the early 1990’s, which is nearly synonymous with Gen-X, had a stripped-down, distorted sound with lyrical themes of indifference and disregard for the law. Similarly, today‘s music also reflects the values of today‘s young people. For example, Nelly’s 2000 #1 hit, “Country Grammar”, glorifies the going to clubs, partying, and driving a tricked-out Range Rover type of lifestyle (Nelly). Likewise, Millennials are all about the lifestyle. This generation will seek out the job that accommodates their personal and family lives. Moreover, they are constantly networking with friends via computers and cell phones which keeps them immersed in social happenings and perpetuates the whole cycle of taking care of number one.

In my opinion, whether or not you fit the Echo Boomer archetype comes down to how you were raised. Personally, I cannot relate to feeling any sense of entitlement or expecting grade inflation just because my parents still tell me that “You‘re so good…I know you’ll go far.” I think that any fairly grounded person has either been taught or has come to realize that they cannot expect advancement without a good work ethic and that it is still respected in academia and in the workplace. All brash, 60 Minutes stereotypes aside, I do feel that my generation is more in tune with environmental issues and fair and equal treatment for everyone. Institutionalized racism like affirmative action and employer discrimination are only known in the history books for some of us. Additionally, the internet tends to integrate users into one online community that doesn’t single people out because of race or sexual orientation. Furthermore, we grew up with issues like global warming and alternative energy. As a result, our environmental awareness is being reflected by the way we vote and the way we spend our money. In the future, it is my hope that the Millennials will prove Mister Rogers right that we are “special”, and that we will make a difference.

Works Cited

Coupland, Douglas. Microserfs. New York: HarperCollins, 1995.
“The Echo Boomers.” 60 Minutes. CBS. Oct. 2005.
“The “Millennials” are Coming.” 60 Minutes. CBS. 11 Nov. 2007.
Nelly. “Country Grammar.” Country Grammar. Universal Motown, 2000.
Thielfoldt, Diane, and Devon Scheef. “Generation X and the Millennials: What You Need to Know About Mentoring the New Generations.” Aug. 2004.
Law Practice Today. 18 Apr. 2009. .