Reader comments
Listen 2 me :) - Techno-savvy generation changing work, home and society

Although technology is good there is a down side to all this 'me' thinking of the younger generations. They lack discipline, character, and respect, the things this county was built on and has survived on for 200 years. They have no identity or self awareness and lack the ability to cope with life on an individual basis as they struggle on. When the younger generation faces personal problems they don't know how to cope with it if it isn't in a digital form. Some things in life can't be digitized and this is where it will hurt them and the country. Many have been caught up in the financially defucnt economy and they are at a loss trying to figure out why or how it happened to them. They seem to feed on manipulating their lives, their finances, their family, and friends at a very fast pace with no direction or purpose other than a need to 'have'. We made them, we gave them specialized education with no directions, and supplied them with every unneeded device with no emotional attachments to their being a part of a society. They have never known what it is to go without or earn.

And where did you get your psychology or sociology degree? When all of us evil self-minded, intent on destroying civilization as we know it millenials enter college, we would prefer to stay as far away from your alma mater as possible.

It is the current baby-boomer and generation x that have have themselves up to their ears in debt. Many of my friends have more money than their parents. (I am a college student, so I am technically on the older side of this generation).

So don't say we aren't responsible. We look at all the mistakes the older generations have made and we will improve on them.

Basically this article says that we, as the "Y Generation" want things fast, our way, and in the order of importance in our lives. We want time with our families and also get what we want out of our lives and our jobs.

Hmm, sounds like every other generation, we're just more likely to get it because we demand it!

This article describes my 20 yr. old son much better than I ever could. I ADORE him and LOVE him to pieces. He adds so much excitement to our lives.

We have always gotten along remarkably well, and I have HIGH hopes for him. But I do worry a bit about his easy-going attitudes. As Bob G pointed out, he may be lacking a bit in self-discipline, but certainly NOT lacking in character and respect.

I'm proud of him and his friends, and I think they will change the world in many positive ways, I just pray that the world we've left for them won't be too difficult and overpowering.

I can personally attest to the fact that we millenials are not irresponsible. I am very self-disciplined and I agree that we are learning from the mistakes our parents made. My husband & I make less per hour than my parents, but yet we have more money to spend on the things that we want. It is because I took the mistakes my parents made and decided not to make them for myself. Where my parents are head-over-heels in debt, my husband and I are living debt free and enjoying it greatly.

We do get to enjoy life because we do demand things, such as hard work and self-motivation. We do very well in the workplace because of our demands.

That article scares me. Not because my job could be taken over by somebody like that, but because of the attitudes that Generation Y has. There is something to be said about learning to work for things, and being told no. I have a 6 year old, and he hears NO all the time. I implore all parents to be brave, don't be your kid's buddies and tell them NO. They will learn to handle it. Your kids self esteem will be greater if they learn to work for what they want. Teach them to be responsible for themselves and that will be the best thing you can ever do for them.

Interesting that you jump so quickly to attack Bob G without weighing your words. Many said Millenials are not this way because "I" am not. Think through the fact he is generalizing and you are individualizing. Several also showed many of the signs the article was talking about.
Also you may be debt free because of your parent�s sacrifices or because you stepped there on their shoulders. Humbleness and gratitude are not one of your generations forte�s.

I prefer to call them "The American Idol Generation".

This is the same old name-calling, generation-judging that has taken place for decades. The older generation accuses the younger of being too-this, or too-that, and the younger generation accuses the older generation of certain attitudes, mistakes, etc. as well. Wouldn't it be more productive to learn from each other's mistakes, and compliment each other's accomplishments? Everyone seems to be trying to make themselves feel better by being critical of the others.

I'm at the tail end of Generation X (born in 1976) and I feel a complete disconnect from the generation born in the 80s and 90s. I honestly can't stand the Millenials and their selfish attitudes. They just expect everything handed to them and then they think they are in charge. I find it hard to hire them in my company because of this. This article is right, once they get in the work force and get slammed a few times, they tend to learn from their mistakes. I also find that they switch jobs like crazy. They think they deserve better pay and vacation than people in their 40s and 50s. I blame the parents for this.

I, like homer, cannot believe the disconnect that a few years means between myself and the Y folks. Perhaps we should call them the entitlement generation. My view is slightly skewed because I was a high school teacher and dealt with them daily for 4 years.

I find it interesting that the majority of the people posting on this topic are so defensive. (Homer) Possibly millenials do deserve more vacation and better pay than those 40-50 year olds who refuse to change. I find it very frustrating that the "Baby-Boomer" generation refuses to change, their way is the right way and there is nothing anyone can do about it. The Y generation brings to the table more skills and a more creative mind than most baby boomers ever will. I also find it interesting that parents of the millenial group complain about the get what I want fast, no self respect,and lack of discipline. You left us at home(in most cases) to raise ourselves in front of televisions computers etc, and you are wondering why this generation thrives on technology. People need to adapt, move forward, and realize that the world is changing, and your next CEO might be 25 years old and beat out the 55 year old on the job retiree, as the ideas that his PARENTS instilled in him are more creative and demanding that previous generations

Every generation makes it mark. I do, however, worry that communicating by text is only one form of communication, you also need to know how to write and to speak. I am a baby-boomer and I often want things now and done quickly. I guess I just dislike it when a group of people are given a set of specific "qualities". There are trends and sub-trends. Retailers should assume anything about a consumer walking through the door. Most of us just want quality product with good customer service.