Young People are "The Entitlement Generation"...

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 9:34am

... according to this Associated Press article.

Don't blame me, I didn't make up the term, I'm just reporting.
The Entitlement Generation

[Millie42]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 9:45am

I agree. It often disgusts me, actually.
I encounter so many people that have had all their opportunities handed to them on a silver platter. I have taken on several internships to work my way up the latter and I have encountered more than a few people who's parents' connections/money got them a position, but instead of being grateful, they didn't want to do the work. Sure, sorting mail isn't the most amazing job, but you do it and you do it well so more responsibility will be assigned.

As for a lack of loyalty, I agree with that too. My generation grew up with so many options that we have established very few loyalties and have learned to take the best available---regardless of who/what might be affected.

It's still a touchy subject for me because I have spent years taking care of myself the best I can and working hard to earn my jobs, etc. I am tired of those that don't realize what they have been given and keep on trying to get more without doing the work.

::end rant::

[nmartin]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 9:57am

Millie42, You sure as hell know what you're talking about. Bravo!

[Millie42]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 10:23am

Thanks, nm.

I try to be optimistic and hope that my generation will rise to the challenges of the coming years...and I see in some of my friends that potential. But, it angers me to see those that will counteract all the changes I want to make in society.

I often tear up when I see the veterans visiting the WWII memorial because I so greatly admire the dedication and loyalty of that generation. I hope that they are not the last of their kind.

Boy, I have got quite a comfy soapbox today!

[nmartin]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 10:29am

I'm so glad you mentioned WWII veterans. I have talked to many of them and their humility about their bravery is amazing. I know a man who flew bombing missions over Germany. He was only 18 years old at the time. He talks about it like it was nothing.

[Millie42]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 10:37am

I know! I still regret having not asked more of my relatives about their experiences before they passed away.

It's so incredible to me to imagine an entire nation working together in a common effort. These young men went out there and fought for their country without any inhibitions, witnessed so many horrible things, and then come back and continue to lead their lives. I have nothing but respect! I so desperately want to just run and hug them all.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 10:40am

It's interesting to see this sort of lionization and myth-making of an entire generation. Not to minimize the efforts that people actually took part in. But Brokaw's book and subsequent Greatest Generation industry strikes me as the baby boomer generation's last ditch effort to make peace with their parents after years of living with their generation gap.

And, in some creepy way, appropriating their parents' experiences and portraying them as somehow their own.

I've talked with several WWII vets, one a man who flew bombing missions. The reason he, and I suspect many of that era, are so humble and acted as if what was accomplished was "nothing," is because that is a generation that was completely unable to be in touch with its feelings. They got through life with little or no self examination.

[nmartin]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 10:42am

My father's uncle was a part of D-Day. He could not talk about it. Sometimes he would just start crying and we always knew why. When I think of someone like that, the hubris of some younger people angers me.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 10:43am

I absolutely agree. I have a 25 year-old friend who has yet to finish her Bachelor's Degree and snubs $40K corporate jobs because she just doesn't like the management style. Since when does 3 years experience as an Admin Asst with no degree earn the right to not only get a $40K supervisory position, but turn it down as if it's just not good enough? I don't get it. But it's not just the coporate young 'uns, I see this sense of Entitlement everywhere. Even the attitudes of people crossing the street against the light in the middle of traffic walking as slowly as they can because they think traffic should shut down for them. The problem is, cars DO stop for them and they get what they want yet again. And if the Entitlement Generation get what they want, they just pass it down to their kids. I'm actually glad I'm a Gen-X.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 10:45am

Where's my prize? I deserve a Fu(king PRIZE!

Updated On: 6/27/05 at 10:45 AM

[Millie42]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 10:53am

Namo, I don't think they completely lack self-examination. Sure, they aren't as self-centered (and I don't mean this in a negative way) as younger generations, but I am sure they still reflect on an individual's place in society.

I imagine they don't seem to self-reflect as much because of all they have dealt with. Growing up in the depression and then fighting in a world war has got to completely change your perspective. Despite being relatively young, I have noticed how my reaction has begun to evolve in response to tragic events. Things have gotten dramatically harder for me the past 4 years and since then I have picked up an attitude of "This is your life...make all you can out of it despite the circumstances."
If I dealt with all the things they did, I might remove myself a bit, as well.

Besides, if you grow up in a society-centered era, as opposed to our individualistic one of today, you are "programmed" differently--- this doesn't make me respect their sacrifices any less.

[CostumeMistress]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 10:56am

Okay, discredit this "young person's" opinion and whine about how another adult board would spare you from reading this, but I am really sick of being in the Ent. Gen. I want to switch generations. Working this summer on a college campus in a bakery/coffeeshop allows me to see it in full swing. As a counter gal who's working her way through college, I get to be treated like the "hired help," even though I will go on to sit in the same classes as the people I wait on in two months. This is a constant source of frustration at my job. "The smoothee machine is out of the flavor it had yesterday, can I get the other flavor for free?" "My mom got me the wrong flavor shot in my cappuccino, can I get a different one? (nevermind the LINE this individual cut in front of)" Then there's just what I overhear people say. "I just registered and I only got TWO of the classes I wanted this semester. I'm thinking about switching schools." (I'm not making this up!)

Of course, what gets fun is that older adults see me, see that I'm 20, and assume that I want a part-time job with full-time benefits, or some such schmaltz. I'm not looking forward to graduation, when employers will see me as nothing but a snotty 22-year-old with a diploma who thinks the world should be handed to them. Given the attitudes that society holds of college grads, I fear I'll never get a job when I'm done.

[Millie42]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 11:04am

"Okay, discredit this "young person's" opinion and whine about how another adult board would spare you from reading this, but I am really sick of being in the Ent. Gen. I want to switch generations. "

Don't feel that way, Mistress. Young opinions, such as yours, are respected.

"I'm not looking forward to graduation, when employers will see me as nothing but a snotty 22-year-old with a diploma who thinks the world should be handed to them. Given the attitudes that society holds of college grads, I fear I'll never get a job when I'm done. "

Once again, don't feel that way. As long as you dont have the entitled attitude, you will be fine. Obviously you are willing to work hard and people will respect that!

[CostumeMistress]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 11:16am

I don't know... if I were a 48-year-old employer and saw a 20-year-old in front of me, saw how *some* 20-year-olds treated the average counter gal, I don't know if I'd hire me either. I'm not denying that these assumptions are rooted in truth. It just frightens me sometimes.

[Millie42]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 11:25am

Well, people like that are certainly out there, Mistress....but you get to prove them wrong!

You have a job, so obviously you made a good impression---just keep that up!

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 11:35am

Those of us with current teenagers should take action before it's too late. It's a challenge.

My son is 14, and many, many of his peers were raised to be the center of their universe. Manners? Forget it; unnecessary. The darlings were "exploring" the world, and didn't need to have restrictions. Yet once the kids reached age 12, and were rude and obnoxious, these same parents previously obsessed with their kids' "individuality" and "expression" were exasperated to have little gimme monsters on their hands.

What bothers me even more than the lack of etiquette is the genuine lack of curiosity about things outside their own sphere. To be fair, children now 13-20 have been so bombarded with information, have grown up with everything available all the time, they haven't bothered to acquire much. Little actually "sticks." There is no reason to learn facts when a keyboard connects you to them. Curiosity exists when much is unknown, unavailable. I don't see a lot of curiosity anywhere.

It has created a VERY LOW boredom threshold, which I believe is the biggest danger. As Carrie Fisher famously said, of an addict, "instant gratification isn't instant enough..." and I see considerable evidence that many of the new teens suffer from that syndrome. No one aspires to, or dreams of a wish list. Want a computer, cell phone, ipod? Got it. Next! Every person, place and thing is instantly connected, and there's pandemic impatience with simply having to WAIT to acquire something. The old fashioned Christmas morning styled exhiliaration seems to be fading. My son, just 14 has to wait another year for a cell phone and he's in a rare minority(and frankly feels persecuted by me).

I'm not a Luddite, but I'm afraid that our technology has only created a world where the natural highs and lows of human experience are too often flattened. It's one big middle ground of consumerism, and we don't want to dare to teach our kids how to simply sit still.

Updated On: 6/27/05 at 11:35 AM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 11:43am

Jesus Christ that was a good essay Aug. If I were you, I'd expand it and shop an article around to any number of publications.

Kudos.

[Millie42]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 11:45am

I'm with Namo! That was very well-written, Auggie.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 11:56am

Thanks for that, Auggie! When I see 10-12 year-old kids with their own personal TVs, DVDs, iPods and cell phones, I think, why not just get them their own apartment? How far does this go and how do they learn to earn something of value? When I was a kid (God that makes me sound old), it was the 80s and my family was behind on technology simply because a) we really didn't need it at the time and b) my parents taught us that these expensive items were something of a luxury that we had to work hard to earn.

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 11:58am

But, we (royal) are the ones buying it for them.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 12:56pm

auggie, yer like an ogre, man. refusing a cell phone to a 14 year-old? that's like so totally mccarthy-ist, dude. you're completly infringing upon that child's freedom of speech because without a cell phone he can't always express himself to others so, you're like some sorta fascist, man. i can totally understand why he feels persecuted, you phone nazi. what's next? telling him he can't mainline heroin because your outdated victorian morals frown on pleasure? i am aghast.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 1:28pm

I think papa needs a spanking.

[cabarethed]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 1:30pm

Auggie, that was wonderful. CostumeMistress, I'm in the same boat...only I'm a bit older, therefore looked upon as super pathetic.
I see all these spoiled hellraising kids come in, destroy/steal from my store, and leave while chatting on their phone in their outfit that cost more than what I make in 2 weeks. What's really fun is when mothers come in and buy Playboy/Corona merchandise for their minor children.
I feel old when I still remember having to do actual research for school or even just random information. The computer age is so freakin lazy. The plethora of info at your disposal is fun, but you also have to question the accuracy sometimes, and no one knows what it's really like to work for something-- intellectually, financially, or even in the material sense. You want something, you can order it right online. I'm going to start repeating other people soon, so I'm going to stop.
Updated On: 6/27/05 at 01:30 PM

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 1:39pm

just try it, mr. matt. i'll haave you in family court so fast it'll make your head swim and don't think i won't use the "m" word with wild abandon. oh, you'll be lucky if they don't make you wear a red dress and silly hat and try to kiss your ring...huh, got lost a bit there.

Updated On: 6/27/05 at 01:39 PM

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 1:44pm

I am in my mid-20s and despise being part of this generation. I work in government in a non-intern position. Before I got this position, I had 6 internships- most of them unpaid. I worked during the day and did grad school at night. It irks me to no end that I walk into work on any given day and we have a new intern in a short skirt who proudly proclaims daddy got her this job. I had a roommate who came from a very wealthy family that still does not have a job because she won't take anything less than 70K. She held one internship for 2 weeks and quit. Another friend makes more than me and lives with his parents because he does not want to (or need) to pay rent. Mommy and Daddy also got him his current job. He has an associates degree and I have a Masters. It annoys me because he says "why go to school longer than I have to when my parents can get me great positions?"

I worked my way to where I am and struggled to pay my rent at first when I moved to DC. I am proud that I stuck it out and got my dream job, much more so than if that job would have been handed to me immediately as the result of some connection to somebody.

Updated On: 6/27/05 at 01:44 PM