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Millennials

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For the blog by Yoani Sánchez, see Generación Y.

Generation Y, also known as The Millennial Generation, is a term used to describe the demographic cohort following Generation X. Its members are often referred to as "Millennials"[1] or "Echo Boomers"[2]. There are no precise dates for when Generation Y starts and ends. Most commentators use dates from the early 1980s to early 1990s inclusive.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Until Generation Z began to come of age in the late 2000s, Gen Y was often ended around 2000 for convenience, but it is now more common to end Y and begin Z somewhere in the middle of the 1990s, such as August 1996.

Members of Generation Y are primarily the offspring of the Baby Boom Generation.

The term

The term Generation Y first appeared in an August 1993 Ad Age editorial to describe those teenagers born between 1977 and 1978 (now usually considered a part of Generation X). [10] "Generation Y" alludes to a succession from "Generation X".

The name "Echo Boomers"[2] relates to the size of the generation and its relation to the Baby boomer generation. In the United States the actual "Echo Boom" was a five year span between 1989 and 1994 when for the first time since 1964, the number of live births reached over four million. It wouldn’t be until 1985 that the live birth number would even match that of 1965 at 3.760 million. Also it should be noted that the birthrate of 1971’s 17.2% has yet to be reached according to the 2000 census. [11]

One analysis of American demographics locates the increase in births between 1979 and 1994. By this calculation there are 60 million members of the generation, more than three times the size of Generation X, and just shy of the 72 million baby boomers.[9]

As this generation came of age during the 1990s, during the Digital Revolution, terms such as "Net Generation" and "First Digitals" are sometimes used to describe Gen Y (as opposed to "digital natives" for Generation Z). In Australia, Generation Y has been given the nickname "Job Snobs".[citation needed]

Howe and Strauss: "The Millennials"

Authors William Strauss and Neil Howe have been influential in defining American generations in their book Generations: The History of America's Future, 1584 to 2069 (1991). Howe and Strauss maintain that they use the term "Millennials" in place of "Generation Y" because the members of the generation themselves coined the term, not wanting to be associated with Generation X. Almost a decade later, they followed up their large study of the history of American demographics with a new book specifically on that generation, titled Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation (2000). [5][12][13]

In their books Generations (1991) and Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation (2000), William Strauss and Neil Howe use the start year as 1982 and end year of the generation as 2001. They believe that the coming of age of year 2000 high school graduates sharply contrasts with those born before them and after them due to the attention they received from the media and what influenced them politically. [5][14]

Defined demographically

Generation Y is the generation following Generation X, especially people born between 1981 to 1992[4]. People born in the early 1990s are also included, but have some characteristics of digital natives.[15] The generation is defined as the children of the Baby Boomer generation.

Defined sociologically

Generation Y, like other generations, has been shaped by the events, leaders, developments and trends of its time.[16] The rise of instant communication technologies made possible through use of the internet, such as email, texting, and IM and new media used through websites like YouTube and social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter, may explain Generation Y's reputation for being peer-oriented and for seeking instant gratification. This trend of communication is continuing into Generation Z.

This generation is also sometimes referred to as the Peter Pan Generation because of their possible penchant for delaying some of the rites of passage into adulthood longer than most generations before them. Those a part of Generation Y have pushed the acceptable boundaries for full adulthood from their mid 20's to early 30's. One can expect Generation Y to live at home, remain with a family or children, and delay a full career longer than any generation before them.

Notable Pop Culture

Generation Y is known for bringing the indie music scene into widespread popularity.

Britney Spears is seen publicly as the female pop icon of Generation Y[who?][17][18][19][20], due to her enormous music career success and pop culture impact from the late 1990s to late 2000s.

Alternative music, while credited with Generation X, is equally popular among Generation Y. Pop punk bands such as Green Day, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Offspring are legendary icons to many Gen Yers, many who have followed them since their initial success in the 1990s. Also popular among Gen Yers are famous Gen X bands such as Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains.

One genre of alternative, emo, became popular in the early 2000s and is especially connected to the later part of Gen Y, born in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Also, even though its origins were still in Gen X, grunge is still the underground of soceity. Underground local bands, and fanzines are the new generation of grunge staying true to their roots.

Literature of the 1990s and 2000s popular with Gen Y include Harry Potter, Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, Twilight and Goosebumps, to name a few.

Gen Y and digital technology

In their 2007 book, Junco and Mastrodicasa expanded on the work of Howe and Strauss to include research-based information about the personality profiles of Millennials, especially as it relates to higher education. They conducted a large-sample (7,705) research study of college students. They found that Net.Generation college students were frequently in touch with their parents and they used technology at higher rates than people from other generations. In their survey, they found that 97% of students owned a computer, 94% owned a cell phone, and 56% owned an MP3 player (iPod, Zune, Sansa, etc.). They also found that students spoke with their parents an average of 1.5 times a day about a wide range of topics.[21] Other findings in the Junco and Mastrodicasa survey included that 76% of students used instant messaging, 92% of those reported multitasking while IMing, and 40% of students used television to get most of their news and 34% the Internet.

56% reported downloading music using peer-to-peer file sharing (15% reported downloading movies and 16% reported downloading software). 69% of students reported having a Facebook account, typically logging in twice a day.

In June 2009, Nielsen released the report, "How Teens Use Media" which discussed the latest data on media usage by generation. In this report, Nielsen set out to redefine the dialogue around media usage by the youngest of Gen Y, extending through working age Gen Y and compared to Gen X and Boomers.[22]

Generation Y in the workforce

The Millennials are sometimes called the "Trophy Generation", or "Trophy Kids,"[23] a term that reflects the trend in competitive sports, as well as many other aspects of life, where "no one loses" and everyone gets a "Thanks for Participating" trophy and symbolizing a perceived sense of entitlement. It has been reported that this is an issue in corporate environments."[23] Some employers are concerned that Millennials have too great expectations from the workplace and desire to shape their jobs to fit their lives rather than adapt their lives to the workplace.[24] To better understand this mindset, many large firms are currently studying this conflict and are trying to devise new programs to help older employees understand Millennials, while at the same time making Millennials more comfortable. For example, Goldman Sachs conducts training programs that use actors to portray Millennials who assertively seek more feedback, responsibility, and involvement in decision making. After the performance, employees discuss and debate the generational differences they have seen played out"[23]

There are three (suggested) core elements that drive the ambitions of Generation Y in the workplace[25]  :

Impact--Making a difference is a strong motivational force behind Gen Y's efforts. Though salary and benefits continue to dominate the no. 1 and 2 on the importance list, making an impact ranks no 3.

Communication--The instant communication framework Gen Y developed through extensive computer usage has led to a need for more professional feedback than that of past generations.[26] Communication platforms such as SMS, e-mail, video chat, and blogging have engendered a mindset that necessitates constant communication with others. That mindset has carried over into the workplace.

Flexibility--The divide between work and life is continually growing narrower as more people shift from the bricks-and-mortar to a remote workplace. The rate of remote office workers has increased significantly in the past two years.[27]

See also

International

References

  • 5- "Drug Survey of Students Finds Picture Very Mixed" by KATE ZERNIKE, New York Times, 12/20/05
  • 6- Time Magazine, August 1, 2005.
  • 7- The Wall Street Journal, 7/28/05.
  • 8- William Strauss and Neil Howe Generations: The History of America's Future, 1584 to 2069:Perennial; Reprint edition (September 1, 1992)
  • 9- After X Comes Y — echo boom generation enters workforce — Brief Article HR Magazine, April, 2001 by Julie Wallace
  • 10-Brandchannel.com: Dr. Pete Markiewicz: Who's filling Gen Y's shoe's?
  • 11-Millennial Manifesto: Scott Beale and Abeer Aballa-InstantPublisher (November, 2003)
  • 12-CensusScope-Dominate Generations http://www.censusscope.org/us/map_generations.html
  • 13-CDC report- Table 1-1. Live Births, Birth Rates, and Fertility Rates, by Race: United States,1909-2000
  1. ^ Shapira, Ian (2008-07-06). "What Comes Next After Generation X?". Education. The Washington Post. pp. C01. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  2. ^ a b http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2005-11-06-gen-y_x.htm
  3. ^ http://www.alliancetrends.org/demographics-population.cfm?id=34
  4. ^ a b http://www.theage.com.au/news/Education-News/Rise-of-the-millennials/2005/05/27/1117129892594.html
  5. ^ a b c http://yawiki.org/proc/Generation+Y
  6. ^ "How Generational Theory Can Improve Teaching: Strategies for Working with the "Millennials"" (PDF). Currents in Teaching and Learning. 1 (1): 29–44. Fall 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-16. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ http://knowledge.emory.edu/article.cfm?articleid=950
  8. ^ Tovar, Molly (August/September 2007). "Getting it Right: Graduate Schools Respond to the Millenial Challenge" (PDF). Communicator. 40 (7): 1. Retrieved 2008-08-29. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ a b Neuborne, Ellen (1999-02-15). "Generation Y". Business Week. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
  10. ^ [Generation Y: complex, discerning and suspicious-Carol Nader- The Age- October 9, 2003 ]
  11. ^ [William Strauss and Neil Howe Generations: The History of America's Future, 1584 to 2069:Perennial; Reprint edition (September 1, 1992) ]
  12. ^ http://lifecourse.com/store/catalog/major/gens.html
  13. ^ http://lifecourse.com/store/catalog/major/millennialsRising.html
  14. ^ http://www.lifecourse.com/assets/files/yes_we_can.pdf
  15. ^ Understanding Generation Y
  16. ^ McCrindle, Mark. "The ABC of XYZ: Generational Diversity at Work" (PDF). McCrindle Research. Retrieved 2008-07-19.
  17. ^ [1]
  18. ^ [2]
  19. ^ [3]
  20. ^ [4]
  21. ^ Junco, Reynol and Mastrodicasa, Jeanna M. "Connecting to the Net.Generation: What higher education professionals need to know about today's students" (2007)
  22. ^ Nielsen. "How Teens Use Media - A Nielsen report on the myths and realities of teen media trends (2009)" (2009)
  23. ^ a b c Alsop, Ron (October 13, 2008). The Trophy Kids Grow Up: How the Millennial Generation is Shaking Up the Workplace. Jossey-Bass. ISBN 978-0470229545. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  24. ^ Alsop, Ron (2008-10-21). "The Trophy Kids Go to Work". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
  25. ^ Gen Y in the Workplace
  26. ^ Gen Y by the Numbers
  27. ^ Telework on the rise as more employers offer flixible work arrangements
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