Why Gen Y yuppies are unhappy

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Dion

How many have lived through a recession where the bottom fell out of the housing market in Alberta where many lost thier homes?

Yes ... I get it, there have been bad recessions in the past, even depressions. This isn't news. What's different is that people entering the workforce now, if they went to school, are saddled with a far larger debt anchor than ever before. This obviously leads to decreased happiness.

[Minnie]

I hate these things and pretty much dismiss them without reading. Every generation thinks the one preceding it is lousy. Which means everyone thought our generation was crap for one reason or the other. Means nothing.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by nik-

Agreed, but that doesn't mean that what I said isn't the case. Society has 50+ years of constant conditioning to chase the dream. Are people shocked when people get down when their life doesn't end up like they're taught it should be?

I would agree that what we are taught by our parents does factor into our life expectations. IMO the worst thing a parent can do is spoil their kids by giving them everything they wanted. Teach them the value of a dollar and how to work for it.

Sadly the baby boomers have spoiled alot of the youth today.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Dion

There are many like me who never aspired to have the best of everything. Not everyone is materialistic in nature.

While you as an individual may very well be an exception, baby boomers as a collective group are known for being selfish and materialistic.

[nik-]

It's not even about parents. Working parents have a kid for a couple hours a day, the rest of the time it's teachers, tv, radio, the ipod, kids at school. It's not a fair fight and there's a reason that the most visually and audibly bombarded generations are prone to thinking that what they're told constantly is actually the way it should be.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by nik-

Yes ... I get it, there have been bad recessions in the past, even depressions. This isn't news. What's different is that people entering the workforce now, if they went to school, are saddled with a far larger debt anchor than ever before. This obviously leads to decreased happiness.

I get that todays youth has by far the greatest debt load when it comes to education but at the same time wouldn't you know that ahead of time. Maybe not a fair example but I worked for 3 years after HS to save up some money for my post secondary education.

[GP_Matt]

I don't like the way they changed the definition of Yuppie.
It is young urban professional. The article seems to be calling everyone a yuppie.

Besides, isn't happiness defined by winning the game.
$150000 in cash
A marriage partner
A career making at least $40k (adjusted for inflation up from 1985)
One child
Private school for said child
A living space (Not sure if you can have a mortgage but you do have to own it)
A Yuppmobile
http://gamesisgames.com/PDF/YuppieGa...ingtons_85.pdf

[Dion]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

While you as an individual may very well be an exception, baby boomers as a collective group are known for being selfish and materialistic.

My parents could be labeled as selfish and materialistic as were many of their friends.

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

Where did the phrase "do what you're passionate about and the money will come" come from? I'm a Gen Y, I feel like that phrase was invented during my generation. It's a stupid phrase. That phrase creates a false sense of entitlement.

I doubt there are many people in the world who are passionate about being janitors, cashiers, waiters, garbage haulers, etc. But damnit, without those people, our society would fall apart. Earn respect in whatever you do by working hard. Isn't that a Greatest Generation sentiment? If it is, they had it right.

[V]

Holy crap, I've already won the Yuppie game!! Woot!!

I can die happy now.

[Shin Pad]

I don't think greed and selfishness are limited by generations. There are people from all generations that are greedy and selfish. As for Gen Y being unhappy, I know a lot of people in my generation (baby boomers), who are unhappy because they didn't save enough or plan ahead well enough to be able to retire at 65 years old.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Dion

I get that todays youth has by far the greatest debt load when it comes to education but at the same time wouldn't you know that ahead of time. Maybe not a fair example but I worked for 3 years after HS to save up some money for my post secondary education.

Really, dude? Tuition rates have risen 35% in the last 20 years alone. It's not comparable at all. Also take into account that many people are working a lot longer or double-dipping, and you have a pretty clear picture of why the 20-30 age group are the most under employed.

EDIT: I would also ask what % of employers were requiring a post-secondary education for jobs with salaries comparable to today's.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by V

Holy crap, I've already won the Yuppie game!! Woot!!

I can die happy now.

PM me a time, place and preferred method and I'll meet you there.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Really, dude? Tuition rates have risen 35% in the last 20 years alone. It's not comparable at all. Also take into account that many people are working a lot longer or double-dipping, and you have a pretty clear picture of why the 20-30 age group are the most under employed.

I do understand tuition rates have skyrocketed to an unfair rate.

The youth of my generation struggled to get jobs during the 80's recession when companies were downsizing or not hiring at all.

EDIT: I would also ask what % of employers were requiring a post-secondary education for jobs with salaries comparable to today's.

I graduated from NAIT and had a difficult time finding a job. In many cases it was because I didn't have the experience required or that precious university degree. It didn't matter that you get more hands on training and skills from a technical school. Made me wonder why I went to NAIT in the first place. Like how do you get experience when no one will give you the chance to get it.

[burn_this_city]

I can see how this article applies to some of my peers, but the vast majority have decent jobs and a realistic outlook on life. I think it also largely depends where you live, growing up in Calgary there was always a sense of economic security, I don't think our economy took near the dip that other places have. There definitely are some space cadets around, but they are being slowly beat down by the harsh realities of life.

[Erick Estrada]

The view from Calgarians is a little skewed because there is a lot of money and opportunity in Alberta in general. In lesser economic climates it's not a very good time to be a self-entitled slacker. What made North America the land of opportunity was that if you worked hard enough you could achieve your goals but it seems we have lost our way and that's not just the Generation Y as there are a lot of Gen X slackers coasting in their prime earning years. It seems more focus is placed on what the minimum amount of work can be done to yield a big house and nice car. People collectively living above their means and a general lack of financial responsibility. Combine that with corporate greed and you have the current situation of massive bebt the US finds itself in.

[fredr123]

I'm confused. If you're born in 80-82, do you get to complain about the lazy, self-entitled millenials whining about everything? Or should you be complaining about the donkeys in Generation X who ruined the system, man? I'm just not sure what I should be upset about...

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by missdpuck

^ LOL
Also called narcissism.

Hey I work with a guy in that age group who thinks it's okay to video a guy pouring boiling water on a fox kit because "he's going to do it anyway"

Ah OMG

whenever I mention that to someone the answer is "oh, it's that generation".

I like to think it's just one (well, two)frikkin idiots.

I really cannot stand to go into work any more.

You work with someone who poured boiling water on a baby fox?

[GP_Matt]

Originally Posted by Teh_Bandwagoner

Where did the phrase "do what you're passionate about and the money will come" come from? I'm a Gen Y, I feel like that phrase was invented during my generation. It's a stupid phrase. That phrase creates a false sense of entitlement.

You missed the part of the article that mentioned the fact that I am a unique snowflake. Let the other cogs in the machine do the crap work while I make millions doing what I love.
There must be a glitch in the system though because I have spent countless hours on CalgaryPuck and have yet to see even a single dump truck full of money unloading at my house. Do you think it is because my street doesn't show up on Google Maps properly?

[GP_Matt]

Originally Posted by V

Holy crap, I've already won the Yuppie game!! Woot!!

I can die happy now.

My brothers are racing and I have a slight lead at the moment. Especially over my slacker brother who has a car and nothing else on the list.