The generation known as the “Millennial generation” or Gen-Y was born between 1981 and 1996 according to Pew Research Centre. However, the range is extremely variable. Their self-centered laid back attitudes and inability to wait for major milestones like marriage or children have earned them the nicknames “Me Me Me”, Peterpan, or Boomerang generation. in life. What is the real question? Are millennials time-wasting slacks? Research shows that they are self-obsessed, lazy, and reliant on technology more than actual labor. Because they can rely on technology to survive, many researchers refer to them narcissists or entitled generation. I believe these opinions are biased as they have been made generalizations regarding entire generations based on inadvertently comparing the current generation to previous generations.
The technological advancements made possible by millennials are rapid and significant. The changes they have seen firsthand include typewriters, radios and giant computer systems. Floppy disks are now common. Technology dependence is misinterpreted as their inability to accept and adapt to the ever-changing digital age. Multitaskers are a result of modern technology. Multitasking simply means they can work and use social media simultaneously, which could be mistaken for being distracted by previous generations. But it is also important to note that millennials tend to be more open-minded and flexible than their predecessors, which makes them more able adapt and make changes. They work better as a team and have more advanced communication and technology that allows them to do more. This behavior can be misinterpreted as selfish because they are more focused on balancing work and personal life. They provide more than just a fresh perspective. Their new outlook can be a competitive advantage in the workplace. The millennial workforce is known for being unreliable and indecisive. Their work-life balance is the driving force behind them. Their open blog posts and articles in the press have supported this assertion. They freely admitted that they place their personal life above their career. Their higher authorities, who are Boomer-generation members, have often resisted them because they don’t trust the credibility and integrity of the younger generation.
One of the most criticized characteristics about millennials is their arrogance. However, they are very confident and are aware of all aspects of their abilities. Recent research shows that millennials have a higher self-esteem due to the fact that their parents are more present in their formative years. They don’t have to deal with any financial, emotional, or social crisis alone. This gives them the ability to be with their parents in every aspect of life, and they can also feel secure. Many millennials are said to have stayed with their parents for longer periods of time or returning to live with them frequently. This is not a trend that the PEW research centre supports. Interesting to note is that the “Generation Me”, while portrayed as ambitious and constantly needing self-reflection, has its roots in their parents. Because of tough competition, millennial children have been encouraged from childhood to strive for excellence, succeed over all, and move on. They are more likely to take additional classes and to receive coaching in order achieve better scores. They are more inclined to motivate and encourage their children, which leads to greater future needs.
The millennial generation is also considered more open-minded than the older generations, which can be misinterpreted as culturally lacking. Our society has seen a shift in communication, which has resulted in a smaller world. Therefore, I believe that Gen Y has developed more easily than racism, ethnic dogmas, long-standing religious beliefs, and long-standing regional and/or cultural dogmas. They are more open to the rights of gay and minorities. In families where the roles are reversed, women may be the breadwinners with their husbands taking care of the family. Interestingly, this isn’t just a phenomenon that occurs in developed nations. It can also occur in developing countries.
Western Union’s recent survey across 15 countries revealed that millennials consider the elimination of racism and the dismantling of biases due to gender, culture or nationality to be the most important pillars in their bright future. They are more comfortable being called global citizens. This is another challenge that the current generations must accept.
There is no end to the debate. The previous generations, like Gen X and Boomer, were more rigid and less flexible than Gen Y. The millennials have a tendency to be more flexible in areas where they believe in rigid systems. It begs the question, who is right? And what’s the future? To keep up with the rapid technological advancements and skills of the millennials, we need to have a generation that is flexible and adaptable. Although they may not have much experience, their unbiased minds provide a fresh perspective on old methods and help them to create new ventures. As a society, the generation of millennials has helped to close the gaps between the past and present by breaking down outdated customs through their wide-minded thinking. The most important thing is that Gen Y, in today’s competitive world, is open to new possibilities and exploring new territories. However, they don’t compromise their quality of living. Yes, I believe that “Me” time in order to grow professionally and personally is essential. The millennials will soon become the largest workforce globally in every function of growth. And they have so much more to offer than the older generation. While they may not always be perfect, they have the most adaptable skills to meet today’s fast changing and evolving world.
