[Millennials:
Born 1981-1996]
Millennials,
who are they?
If you go by the many studies and analysis of the experts, the
Millennials have been profiled in some rather interesting ways. Acknowledging they were the first to be born
in the era of technology, they seem to make the most use of it. They are comfortable using technology to complete
work. They are digital natives yet understand
the dangers of the digital world as well, like invasion of privacy, theft of
ID, hacking of banking, credit cards, phones and databases with more of your personal
records.
Between the Internet, social media, smart phones, endless
apps, email and texting they can function almost 24/7. Yet they also like being connected to real
people through friends, associates, sharing experiences and seeking knowledge.
They were much more aware of the world affairs than previous
generations yet they are smart enough to not lose sight of the various cultures
and diverse perspectives and they try to maintain a high level of tolerance towards
differences. Typically, they have an
open mindset and are more likely to accept others opinions and methods.
They are often multi-taskers who encourage teamwork, being
involved, and being included. They are
willing to find a new path and curious to learn and develop.
On the negative side…
Some say they are lazy, narcissistic, coddled, even a bit
delusional. Certainly, they are somewhat
more civically and politically disengaged and have materialistic tendencies
emphasizing money, fame and image.
I have difficulty seeing how having
an excessive or erotic interest in oneself and one's physical appearance, the definition
of narcissism, could apply but I leave that to others. They can definitely be confident,
self-expressive, upbeat and receptive to new ideas and ways of learning.
However, the jury is still out on whether they are
self-entitled narcissists or open-minded do-gooders. One bad thing in common with other generations is the persistent climb in opioid overdoses and death by this group.
Still, I believe our Millennial
generation may be much farther down the path to success and salvation than
those of us who think we’ve seen the light, yet remain stymied, with one foot
in the Abyss.
When you stop to think about
it, it is a rather disturbing conclusion to reach for those of the older
generations like us who think we know everything. Think of all the oddball attitudes we older
folks find in the Millennial generation, reasons we may suspect they are a “lost”
generation.
Imagine, a whole lot of them
still live at home with their parents, long after college years. When I grew up college was the ticket to get
away from the confines of home.
Who ever heard of a younger
generation that showed fiscal responsibility, did not want to spend their best
years on the brink of financial ruin? Who considered debt, whether from outrageous
mortgages or multi-credit card debt, an unnecessary burden? Who rejects the notion we must keep up with the Jones family? In fact, who is the Jones family and why do we care in the first place?
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| The Holy Trinity - Coke, Cheeseburger and fries. |
While we are working overtime
shooting our mouths off on social media proving the rest of humanity is just
plain wrong and dumber than us, Millennials long ago avoided debates which
morphed to bitter battles between the witless in the heat of social media babble
battles. They use the Internet, smart phones and texting to communicate, learn, and grow.
Instead of spending hundreds
of dollars on glitzy pop music stars and concert tickets or hundreds more
patronizing the professional sports games with modern day gladiators,
Millennials seem content with a conversation over coffee with friends. How un-American.
They forsake news programs
because they know it is not news you can use, and would not be caught dead
watching the silly fireworks on the polarizing talk shows.
One wonders if most Millennials even know what a Kardashian is, the true color of Madonna’s undergarments, the
latest flame of Taylor Swift, or what we are missing with the federal
government shutdown.
They seldom debate politics
because they have difficulty distinguishing which politicians and political
parties lie the least, or they at least dislike conflict.
Somehow, they think they know
the hypocrisy of paying more for designer clothes when they are now made in
China.
Often, they wonder how we can
judge other nations as bad just because they are not more like us. Cars are necessary when they cannot find a way to use bikes, buses or subways.
To them broadcast television
is bad because half the air time is spent with intrusive and sex filled
commercials telling us how our life is not complete unless we buy what they are
selling, and promiscuous sex is not high on their list.
They avoid pontificating to
others, senseless debates, self-indulgence, digital addiction, and doctor-prescribed
addictive medications known as drugs (except opioids) because they are health and wellness conscious. That assumes they somehow escaped the
obsession with medication dependence their parents might have imposed on them.
They know our healthcare
system is broken, designed to keep us sick, exhaust our insurance coverage, suck
dry our estates or inheritance, because profits are more important than people.
They see wars we are waging
fought around the world, some since their birth, and wonder if we are really saving
the world or just making ourselves feel good.
Along the way they have
encountered the extreme liberal bias of college teachers yet often reject their
propaganda, often choosing to be real Independents, or rejecting the voting
system altogether by not even registering to vote.
Of course, they care for the
environment but do not believe demonizing or destroying the economy, jobs, security
and safety is a good path to success, it must be adopted slowly to be accepted.
We probably have difficulty understanding why they
want to engage in face-to-face conversation, yet maintain civility and respect
for opposing views, and staying emotionally stable throughout.
Often, they avoid television award
shows because they know the awards are based more on the shallow themes and
political views of recipients than brilliant scripts, exceptional acting,
singing or entertaining.
Come to think of it, why did
it take us a lifetime to start pulling the plug on decisive and senseless television
babble and crass commercialization when the Millennials started out knowing it was wrong?
Maybe the Millennials are not
the Me Me Me generation we feared they might be. Perhaps their refusal to embrace hypocrisy
and lust for wealth and power makes a lot more sense than being caught up in
the wrong game.
It just might be that they sense something is wrong, very wrong, with the world they are about to
inherit. Could it be our own perception of the good life is flawed like they think?
Maybe we should stop trying
to tell them we know what is best for them, when we know we do not, based on our
miserable record while being in charge of the world.
I can only hope that in their opened mindedness and hunger for Truth they are open
to the lost truths of Jesus and give them a try like we failed to do in our
generation of stewardship of our religious, political and social
institutions. His message of the love of
the Father was never meant to be hijacked by any government or religious
institution for their sole use, but shared with all.
I just hope the Millennial
search for Truth leads them to the message of the miracle of creation, to the
faith, hope and charity toward all, and to the love of Father Creator for all
souls, a message lost in today’s society.
Do not forget, when we have
come and gone, the Millennials are the future.
It will be their turn to fix the mess they inherit just like us. It is not our job to judge our successors, without fixing what is being inherited by them first.
