Who are the Millennials

? The Millennial Generation, also known as Generation Y, is the largest generation, surpassing the Baby Boomer Generation in size. This generation follows Generation X, but researchers have not yet reached a consensus on the beginning and end dates. All studies and surveys do not all use the same demographic definition, making it difficult to determine the unique attributes of this generation compared to another. Definitions can range from those born after 1977 to 1982 onwards or a more definite range, as in born 1981 to 1991. The author’s preferred definition of the Millennial age range is those born 1981 to 1993 because it encompasses a group of people who were old enough to remember 9/11. The generation following the Millennial Generation has yet to be defined, but some claim the next generation begins with those born in the early 2000s. Generational cohorts are largely defined by shared events during a particular time span. The impact of external events can change the trajectory of generations. For example, the Silent Generation is defined as the children of the Great Depression and World War II. These events made them trusting of the government, loyal, and indifferent. For the Millennial generation, events such as 9/11, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the recession of the late 2000s changed the world in which they came to maturity. While large in scale, these events also had an impact on the individual worlds of the generation’s members. The full effects of these events may not be seen or understood yet. 5 A generation can also be defined by engaging in the same behavior or activity. For Millennials, this activity would likely be the use of technology. Unlike previous generations, Millennials grew up using and being exposed to computers, cell phones, and other technological advancements. Computer and technology literacy is similar to language fluency—it is easier to learn at a younger age. People in this generation approach technology natively, while members of other generations had to learn the technology while already adults, making it more difficult to acquire the same skills. In a Pew Research Center study, when asked what defines their generation, 24% cited technology use as the distinctive factor of their generation (Pew Research Center, 2010, p. 5). This use has transformed the way people of this generation interact with one another. An estimated 75% have a profile on a social networking site (Pew Research Center, 2010, p. 25). Social networking has changed the way community is defined for this generation. Millennials are the most diverse generation in United States history with 61% White, 14% Black, 19% Hispanic, and 5% Asian (Pew Research Center, 2010, p. 1). Subsequent generations will become increasingly diverse. Based on the millennial demographics, it is likely that the next generation will be the first without a white majority. Millennials are also defying other previous generational trends, such as getting married in one’s early 20s. Currently, only 21% are married, but 34% are parents (Pew Research Center, 2010, p. 12). Many Millennials are holding off on marriage because of their financial positions; others may just not value marriage as much, having grown up with divorced parents. The fact that many are still living with family members (47%) may prevent some from starting a family. Millennials are also the least religious generation, with 25% unaffiliated with any religion (Pew Research Center, 2010, p. 85). Politically, this 6 generation is largely Democrat leaning with 54% reporting as Democrat in 2009 and 62% in 2008 (Pew Research Center, 2010, p. 63). Since coming into adulthood, many Millennials have faced difficulty in the workforce due to the economic downturn. As of 2010, 37% of Millennials are unemployed or out of the workforce (Pew Research Center, 2010, p. 2). Many are avoiding going into the workforce by staying in college longer. This is putting the Millennial generation on track to become the most educated generation in American history. 39.6% are enrolled in college (as of 2008) while 54% have at least some college. Even with the bleakness of their economic conditions now, the vast majority of Millennials (88%) are optimistic that they will earn enough in the future to live a good life (Pew Research Center, 2010, p. 40). Many researchers focus on the character traits of the generation as a whole. These “common” generational traits have no statistical backing and are typically based on the perceptions of an older generation. The current debate among researchers is between two conflicting images: an altruistic and civic-minded generation or a materialistic and selfabsorbed generation. William Strauss and Neil Howe, in their 2000 book Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation, predict that the Millennial generation will have a strong sense of global and local community. Jean Twenge, in her 2006 book Generation Me, points to personality survery showing increasingly narcissism in this generation to construct her image of the Millennial generation as a materialistic and self-absorbed one. Surveys and studies have been gathered to make the case for each side, showing how difficult it is to construct one, complete image. Such characteristics cannot be applied to or representative of an entire generation.