Sweeping generalisations about millennials seems to be everywhere and you can’t escape the massive over-exaggeration and misunderstandings shared about millennial culture and lifestyles.
For example, I recently ordered a pair of pants. A special pair of pants by Thinx — for those who are squeamish about basic female bodily functions, I would not recommend clicking on that link. Anyways, as I live in the UK, I have to buy this brand through another website which supplies the brand to Selfridges in the UK. It’s a great brand and I won’t name the brand directly but they specialise in forward-thinking and technology innovations in the lifestyle/beauty/health area. I made a purchase of said special pants and received with my order a bunch of promotional materials.
One of the leaflets included seemed harmless enough until I realised I had been served a side order of patronising nonsense with my order of pants [this is exaggeration, humour in case you’ve forgotten how to smile or laugh]. It was a small leaflet, probably written by one of the staff for the brand titled “ten things a year in a tech start-up has taught me”… This seems harmless enough until I read this:
“Millennials can’t spell
But Trump and global warming don’t seem to depress them and they are wildly enthusiastic about the future, which, if you spend enough time with them, is highly contagious.”
Cool. Right. I guess this is a positive… maybe? Stating that millennials are not capable of spelling correctly (as a millennial trained in writing, I’m trying really hard to not be offended) but also then alleged we’re all super enthusiastic about the future… Right. Really not patronising.
“You know those millennials they sure can’t spell… but they are very enthusiastic for their generation!”
Right here’s the thing: we’re not pets. Millennials have not been put on this earth to replicate the previous generation’s work ethic, decisions or lifestyles. We are a new generation. Humans aren’t iphones; we don’t fake change and try to sell you the same thing at a higher price. I don’t think it’s fair to be harsh when you’re trying to make a stereotype about a now expanded generation stick.
I know this seems an excessive response but two years ago, I nearly had to write this exact same article about an even worse example of this weird exaggeration about millennials.
Back in July 2017, the Tea House Theatre in London posted the following advert:
While this advert reeks of someone who is tired of having to hire people constantly (perhaps a reflection of a poor work environment rather than an entire generation failing to meet expectations), it is a problem because it’s addressed to millennials only.
Let’s be very clear, anyone who is considered to be a millennial was born between 1981 and 1996 — meaning some millennials are 37 years old. I’m sure this is not exactly the age group most people have in mind when they’re complaining that millennials are eating too many avocados and should really be saving for a mortgage.
Hold up now because I need to set some things straight!
Key fact (that I thought I should highlight):
- Millennials have led older Americans to adopt and use new technology — you can thank us for helping our society move technologically forward… In recent years, Gen Xers (38 years old to 53 this year) and Baby Boomers (ages 54 to 72) have become heavy adopters of new technology!
- Millennials are more loyal to employers than previous generations; millennials stay longer than previous generations with employers…
- Studies have found that millennials have not rejected the corporate world BUT they will look for another job or even become entrepreneurs if they cannot have their personal values reflected within the role they play within an organisation.
- Millennials are more likely to spend money on companies that have strong ethical values.
- Millennials know when they are been pandered too and know when this is unauthentic.
- Also just to add: nearly half of college graduates are not working in jobs that require a degree (and that’s not their fault)…
So surprisingly, the snowflake generation has values and funnily enough the drive to succeed — we just can’t help the economic situation we’re living in. To return to the comment put forward by the tech start up earlier on, the millennials are better educated than the silent generation (Ages 72 and older).
If I see another post that claims that millennials can’t spell, I will lose my mind. Seriously, it’s ridiculous that people think they can make sweeping generalisations about a full generation of diverse people… There is research and experts citing that millennials are changing the way we express ourselves through language which is exciting, but hey let’s ignore that!
I feel I’ve gotten off-track — just a bit.
I think what my point is, is don’t make generalisations about a full generation when you have nothing to back it up. I’m so tired of hearing millennials are doing all these bad things with no evidence. Please stop…
Sincerely,
A millennial
