The Millennials

I have been thinking about generation Y or the group that is sometimes referred to as the Millennials. They are individuals who were born between 1980 and 1995, although there is probably some wiggle room on the dates. These are kids of the Baby Boom generation. I have a millennial daughter. They are the digital generation. They grew up with computers and ipods. Vinyl records are collectibles and cassette tapes were from their childhood. They grew up in a culture of acceptance and inclusion where they were all taught that winning was less important than teamwork. Collaboration was more important than individual excellence. In sports the star player takes a back seat to the athlete that tries harder and is most improved. Effort is admired more than achievement. I tried hard so I deserve a better grade. I wonder if the students are being prepared for the workplace where results are most important. A lot of effort and poor results might mean unemployment. It might be sad but there really are winners and losers in life. I think the time to learn this painful lesson is in childhood.

When I was in school the teacher was always right even if the teacher was clearly wrong. If you, as a child, came home and said you were in trouble at school you were also immediately in trouble at home. I grew up fearing the authority of the teacher and I didn't want that passed on to my child. I think my generation was successful in this. Now there is no fear of the teacher and it is assumed that the teacher is wrong. Children are in charge and some learn less due to this anesthetized approach to education. Some middle of road educational system would probably have served the Millennials better. I wonder if the millennials will want their children to learn more real life lessons in childhood?