[lbo-talk] characterizing Gen Y

Doug Henwood dhenwood at panix.com
Tue Nov 13 20:19:19 PST 2007


[making the rounds of college administrators]

The Millennial Generation ("Gen Y")

General Characteristics of the Millennial Generation The Millennial generation includes those born starting in 1982. General characteristics include:

* Mass exposure to information (internet, porn sites, chat rooms, etc.)

* High stimulation (video games, etc.)

* Optimistic

* Willing to work hard

* Take technology for granted

* Comfortable working in groups

* Perceived insecurity of the world

* Cannot sit quietly

* Constant "doing" vs. "being"

* Not much experience being active agents in their own lives

* High anxiety (inability to relax or sleep, unable to stop thoughts, inability to focus, anxious, previous anxiety or depression treatment history)

* Need for constant connection (cell phone to ear between classes, many calls home, etc.)

* Accept/trust authority and follow rules (vs. rebel against authority – Baby Boomers!)

* Spend more time with parents and adults (Mom as best friend)

* Raised by increasingly indulgent parents

* Nurtured with increasing protection by pessimistic adults in an insecure environment



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