Happiness = Reality – Expectations
It’s an interesting and simple statement in general. And yet, when applied to broad swaths of demographics, it takes on a bit of a preachy tone. It makes me want to come to the defense of Gen Y’s.
I recall coming of age at a time when interest rates were through the roof and unemployment was rampant. I recall hearing messages (and not subtle ones) that as Gen X-ers we were cynical, alienated, and had poor social skills (no doubt from all the time we spent indoors playing Pong and Pac-Man.) We would never have permanent jobs. We would never be able to afford our own homes. There would never be any pension for us. Baby Boomers were going to buy everything, spend everything, use the whole world up and leave nothing behind for us. There was no point in striving because there was nothing to strive for – and oh yeah – if you had sex, you’d die.
You could say that a generation raised on such expectations has plenty to be happy about today. Most of us found jobs, and found it was possible to advance and build a career. Many of us bought houses, got married, had kids (and didn’t die from having sex), and found lots of meaningful things to fill up our lives. In other words, the future in which we found ourselves didn’t suck nearly as badly as we were led to expect.
In that light, it’s ridiculous to pretend that members of any given generation are incapable of adapting to changing environments. Kids and young adults have nothing to go on except their expectations and the messages they heard growing up. But as rational humans, they will of course, re-assess and alter their expectations based on the reality in which they find themselves.
If Generation Y grew up hearing that they were awesome, they were special, and that they deserved the best of everything (and I’m not saying they did), then reality they find themselves in today is bound to be disappointing. But to assume that they will be permanently stuck with those attitudes is simple-minded. They might start out entitled and naive, but they’re not stupid.
I recall boomers telling me that I was sulky and cynical, my pants were too big, my music was crap, and why on earth would I ever want to get pierced there? But I don’t recall being nit-picked the way the Millennials are today. These young folks are just trying to make their way, same as every other generation did. I’m sure they’ll figure it out.
Didn’t David Bowie say it best? About two generations ago?
I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
So the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're goin' through
|