In Defence of Millennials, the Most Open-Minded and Entrepreneurial Generation Yet

We millennials have been hit with a lot of backlash and negative comments from older generations over the past few years, which we really do not deserve.

Baby Boomers (born roughly between 1946 – 1964) and Gen Xers (approximately 1964 – 1986) constantly throw phrases around such as ‘self-indulgent’, and ‘technologically obsessed’ to describe us. However, any millennials reading this already know this to be some ridiculous sweeping generalisation and mostly not true at all.  

The many changes and additions to our ever-evolving world are most likely influencing these ideas and beliefs of the older generations; however, they just need to learn how to handle change. Drastic advances in technology have only been seen in the millennial lifetime, making it an almost foreign concept to many older generations, and an afterthought for the rest of us. The changes in the way we dress, talk and express ourselves scares them, as it is not typically what they are used to. However, social norms change with each generation, and I think the older generations need to remember this.

“Millennials have [it] easy” is one line thrown around a lot by older generations. Sure, the older generations faced many problems we do not have to face ourselves. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have our own. Besides the fact that employment rates are declining, house affordability for new home buyers is getting worse. Plus, university tuition is increasing too, with a 1.8 per cent rise coming by 2018 and a total rise of 7.5 percent expected by 2021.

‘Lazy’ is also another common word used to describe millennials by Baby Boomers and Gen Xers. Yet millennials are one of the most entrepreneurial and successful generations. Still, we are ignored by older generations due to the way our businesses are started and formed. Many begin on social media, with some millennials even finding a way to earn a living off social media and platforms like YouTube. Because this is not typically what the older generations are used to, it is pronounced an unstable way of income and therefore described as not valid.

The reality is that millennials are among the most open-minded, diverse and progressive generations of all time. We are the ones pushing for equality and are much more accepting of people, no matter what gender, race or whom they choose to love. In our lifetime, we have seen a much more progressive and accepted LGBTQI community, and racial and gender divisions challenged, which all stems from millennials comfortably speaking out about topics older generations tried to ignore.

Our new and more developed way of living and loving is one that has not been seen before by older generations, meaning it’s a change they are not used to nor understand.

They need to get used to it.

Ciara Burren is one of Student Edge’s student contributors. See more student contributions here.

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