Thirtysomething to Thirtynothing

[Yasa]

I think self entitlement is more of a maturity thing. Every generation seems to be more spoiled than the last, so it always seems as if they're being selfish, narcissistic and generally unaware. Perhaps the volume of those traits has grown, possibly due to the population having grown. Every decade has their lazy self-entitled bunch. The ones that feel they can change the world just by being.

I know I feel pretty self-entitled, but not in the sense that the world owes me anything (it doesn't, I asked) but moreso the fact that I owe myself more than I'm giving. I'm typically a pretty lazy person and the only person that's going to give me a chance to succeed is myself. As I get older, I'm slowly turning over my outlook and realizing I don't want to be at the bottom for my whole life. It's not that I'm lazy at work, don't get me wrong, I work very hard. I just don't expose any ambition to move up the ladder. Call it lazy, call it complacency. Either way. Things will change as we grow, mature and get older.

Idiocracy had it right; the stupid people are breeding far more rapidly than the intelligent ones. That's where the real problem is.

[SeeBass]

Originally Posted by redforever

I disagree with this statement and I will explain from my perspective why. First of all, I will clarify that I am in the older age group they are talking about, not the 20 to 35 age group. I personally believe the prospect of doing well in your career choice was much higher when I was graduating than it is now. Perhaps times are changing as once again, there is a dire need of trained people, no matter if in the trades or if in certain professions. But when I graduated, I could pretty well have the pick of any job.

Let me tell you how I got my first teaching job. I had recently graduated, was engaged, and my future spouse would still have to finish his university. So my Dad figured one of us should be working and earning some money, and by the process of elimination, that meant me. At that time, I was living close to Regina, but after marriage, I would be living in Saskatoon.

So one day, when my Dad was not too busy, he figured we should just drive up to Saskatoon, and drop in at the School Board and talk to some people. And that is exactly what we did. Never sent out resumes ahead of time, never arranged for an interview appointment, just drove off to Saskatoon. Well, we found the School Board, somehow got an interview very easily, AND I walked out of there with a teaching job.

When my husband graduated two years later, he was wined and dined by various oil and gas companies, as was the case with most people who were Geology majors at the time. Well, he had 7 job offers and basically chose the one with the most money.

And that is how it was for us and most of our friends. Almost too easy, but that was how the times were.

Now, on the other hand, my children's generation, that would be the 25 to 35 age group, they certainly dont have the same experiences as my husband or I. Quite the opposite in fact for a lot of them even though well educated for the most part. Times have changed.

And I believe, because of that type of experience, many have become depressed and disillusioned with perhaps not the best hopes for the future. AND I believe this generation, the ME generation, will be the first generation that will not do better than their parents nor earn more money than their parents.

And I think that for many, once they have realized that, they come to the conclusion that they should live for now. Certainly try and have some plans for the future, but live now. Now I dont necessarily fault that, I think many of my generation were perhaps a bit too serious about things. Not always of our own doing as most of us in this generation had grandparents who had lived through the Depression. And almost every one of them worked their knuckles to the bone to get any little thing they had. And you get influenced by that, in seeing their work ethic and hearing them talk about how hard it was. I also think that so many of my generation had so many hopes for their children and because of that, perhaps put too much pressure on their children to do well.... that in itself can lead to depression as well.

Now of course, there are always those who are extreme in how they live their lives and I really think it is that segment today who are responsible for the ME generation label. I am talking about those who always seem to be living their life on the edge. And for many on the outside, looking in on them as they live their lives that way, it seems as if they are selfish, all about me.

I have met many young people, from all over the world, and most of the time, I am left with great hopes for our future. Times might have changed, attitudes might have changed, but for the most part, young people are still good. I dont fear the future with them in charge.

As a person at the oldest end of Gen X this was the exact same thing we heard about ourselves. I don't think it has come true but it seemed that way at the time.

[burn_this_city]

When my friend came out of business school a few years back I offered to get him a job at an EPC company. He told me he wanted a position in project management. I asked him how can you manage a project when you don't even know the business. I told him he would likely start in a decent entry level position and move up. But I've got an MBA!?! MBA or not, no one gives a #### when you have zero experience.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

I think there are some reality shows like "So You Think You Can Dance" that are culturally significant in providing excellent examples of young people with tremendous work habits and dedication applying great talent to a love of their craft.

Interesting that you single this out. My wife and I watch every week, and the other week we were discussing how we would have no problem with our son identifying those contestants as role-models, because of the sort of work ethic and creative passion that they have.

[SeeBass]

I do notice due to the cost of certain goods that the younger generation has items that we could only dream of.

A flat screen tv, music system, more affordable clothing and furniture.

I think thanks to cheaper quality goods, technology and labour the prices are lower in comparison to the wages.

How many of you guys in your 20's have a tv you bought yourself? How many of you have been to Europe or flew somewhere on a holiday cause the boomers rarely had that chance. I cant think of one person in the 80's that was under 25 that would ever have a new tv yet a vcr and speakers to go with it

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by SeeBass

I do notice due to the cost of certain goods that the younger generation has items that we could only dream of.

A flat screen tv, music system, more affordable clothing and furniture.

I think thanks to cheaper quality goods, technology and labour the prices are lower in comparison to the wages.

How many of you guys in your 20's have a tv you bought yourself? How many of you have been to Europe or flew somewhere on a holiday cause the boomers rarely had that chance. I cant think of one person in the 80's that was under 25 that would ever have a new tv yet a vcr and speakers to go with it

Don't forget that credit is much easier to obtain than it ever was in the past . . .

[darklord700]

The ME first generation grew up during the last days of the Western dominance, they were afforded a lot by merely their birthplace. Now they have to face the reality of competing with the fast developing nations in their career.

Generaiont shift has always been there so I don't think Gen ME first is any different from Gen X. I am sure everyone here was told they were afforded a lot when they were young.

Who knows? Maybe a trip to the moon will be a normal occruance to the kids of Gen ME first. But it will be interesting to see if Gen Me first is the first generation to fare worse than their parents.

[MarchHare]

As a person at the oldest end of Gen X this was the exact same thing we heard about ourselves. I don't think it has come true but it seemed that way at the time.

There actually is some truth to this, at least in the United States.

From wikipedia:

In economics, a study (done by Pew Charitable Trusts, the American Enterprise Institute, the Brookings Institute, the Heritage Foundation and the Urban Institute) challenged the notion that each generation will be better off than the one that preceded it.[25] The study, 'Economic Mobility: Is the American Dream Alive and Well?" focuses on the income of males 30-39 in 2004 (those born April, 1964 – March, 1974) and is based on Census/BLS CPS March supplement data.[26] The study, which was released on May 25, 2007, emphasized that in real dollars, this generation's men made less (by 12%) than their fathers had at that same age in 1974, thus reversing a historical trend. The study also suggests that per year increases in the portion of father/son family household income generated by fathers/sons have slowed (from an average of 0.9% to 0.3%), barely keeping pace with inflation, though increases in overall father/son family household income are progressively higher each year because more women are entering the workplace, contributing to family household income.[27]

Emphasis added.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_X

[Regular_John]

Having worked a number of years in the advertising industry I can attest to the number of students finishing 4 year art/design courses walking into ad agencies and expecting to be handed art director jobs. Meanwhile the people working as art directors have been working in agencies for 8-10 years and are in their early 30's.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

T
1. Rampant consumerism. It always amazes me when I see crowds, at Walmart and the various m
4. One upmanship.
6. Debt.
7. Eating out.

My company hires a lot of fresh grads so I noticed a lot of what you say in them.

For example,
1. Going to Toronto for a long weekend just to attend some party.
2. 5 parties leading up to a wedding in various exotic places (Vegas, Vancouver etc.)
3. Bought a 600K "starter home"
4. This might be small but a $80 cell phone bill is a big drain on your wallet
5. Cleaning maid service at home
6. Almost every Friday, party at some downtown restaurants.
7. Going to Mexico/Bahama for a month while being on student loan.

[burn_this_city]

Vancouver is exotic?

[arloiginla]

Originally Posted by SeeBass

I do notice due to the cost of certain goods that the younger generation has items that we could only dream of.

A flat screen tv, music system, more affordable clothing and furniture.

I think thanks to cheaper quality goods, technology and labour the prices are lower in comparison to the wages.

How many of you guys in your 20's have a tv you bought yourself? How many of you have been to Europe or flew somewhere on a holiday cause the boomers rarely had that chance. I cant think of one person in the 80's that was under 25 that would ever have a new tv yet a vcr and speakers to go with it

I'm 23 and have owned two brand new cars already and will be purchasing a third (a Camaro) next year. I was not born into a rich family nor had money given to me. I just graduated with two degrees but was able to operate a private music studio out of my home for the last six years with little overhead...a couple of nights every week after classes and it adds up.

I think what you are finding is that while things aren't more affordable as they used to be, this generation is all about luxury and pleasure first, and worrying about the staples of life later. Many friends or people I know (similar age) go on frequent vacations, etc. and have all the gadgets despite living on little income.

It's not about how much you make, it's about how you allocate those funds. I think my parents' generation was more concerned about saving money, investing and such whereas my generation is more about having stuff, and having it whenever we want.

In the case of cars, credit is easy to obtain and with 0% financing being offered all the time now, it is easy to buy a car now and pay for it later with zero cost for borrowing. Similar deals exist on furniture, jewelry and electronics as well. All this "don't pay until 2013 stuff"...it sucks people in.

My parents always remind me that they never bought a new car until 2001...but they started their own business and had to build it from the ground up, working basically for free the first few years until it took off. I got a full-time job right out of University with guaranteed income. Big difference.

They also own their own home now...whereas I won't even be able to buy one for several years yet. So there are definitely pros and cons to both ways of thinking.

[MarchHare]

I know it's easy to criticize the "kids these days", but do statistics back up the common assumption that Gen Y has more consumer debt than Gen X or the Baby Boomers? I know I once saw a statistic (can't find the source right now, unfortunately) that showed Gen Xers, on average, saved the most for retirement while the Boomers saved the least.

With respect to rampant consumerism, are we all forgetting the 80s that quickly? This guy was a quintessential Baby Boomer:

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I know it's easy to criticize the "kids these days", but do statistics back up the common assumption that Gen Y has more consumer debt than Gen X or the Baby Boomers? I know I once saw a statistic (can't find the source right now, unfortunately) that showed Gen Xers, on average, saved the most for retirement while the Boomers saved the least.

I haven't see solid numbers myself (it could be hard at absolutely cut people into on "Gen" or another) but a quick Google gave me this:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/econom...eny23_CV_N.htm

As seen in the news, (Canadian) households are piling up record levels of debt - the pictures in that article also seem to indicate they are piling up the pounds as well.

[Yasa]

And we all know what happened to him...bonitis! (it was his only regret)

[SeeGeeWhy]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

There actually is some truth to this, at least in the United States.

From wikipedia:



Emphasis added.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_X

Very interesting! Because they focused on men in the study, do you think there might be any correlation between the trend of the growing gap between sons and their fathers in terms of sons being able to see and understand what their fathers do for a living?

[Cowperson]

Young people - part of a demogaphic bubble in that country - water fighting their way to freedom.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/08...r-water-fight/

Cowperson

[sclitheroe]

I'm surprised someone who is 35 (the author of the article) considers themselves part of Generation Me, and not Gen-X. I'm in the same age bracket and can see big differences in attitudes, outlooks, and challenges between myself and younger co-workers who are 30 or under - while there are lots of similarities of course, I definitely wouldn't lump myself into their generation like the author is doing.

One thing that nobody seems to address in these articles is the impact of people having children later in life - it seems like it would be easier to spoil a kid, pave their way, and over-inflate their ego and expectations when you are firmly in your peak earning years, sitting on property and investments that are more fully matured, larger credit rating, etc. It's likely that Generation Me is growing up having seen their parents never struggle or outwardly work hard to make ends meet.

Fortunately, my kids will be spared the existential dilemma of being handed a BMW before they are 30... sigh...

[mykalberta]

I think this can all be boiled down to bs new age parenting techniques which have produced bs new age young adults.

I know alot of the type of jacka$$ types that are described in the article that think their cat or dog is some magical creature that we should all bow down before its greatness. Or his or her condo is some magical palace of serenity now vegan garbage.

If those people are people I consider friends I tell them straight up what I think, if they are associate friends/buddies who I hang out with on occasion but would never invite to my wedding then I keep my mouth shut cause its not my buisness how or if they want to screw up their own life.

[MarchHare]

I'm surprised someone who is 35 (the author of the article) considers themselves part of Generation Me, and not Gen-X.

Yeah, that surprised me as well. I've seen Gen Y defined as people born after 1980. I was born in 1979, so I feel like I'm between generations and don't closely identify with either Gen X or Gen Y. I have the cynicism commonly associated with Gen X, but I also grew up with computers and have the technical aptitude that Gen Y is most known for.

Within Gen Y, I think there are two distinct cohorts: those who were kids in the 80s and teens in the 90s/early-00s (e.g. those currently aged 25-30) , and those who were kids in the 90s and teens in the late-00s (those currently younger than 25). The latter group experienced the helicopter parent phenomenon much more than the former, and I feel like I have little in common with them.