Life in 1972
Old man look at my life,
I’m a lot like you were
–Neil Young
Neil Young sang those words in 1972. He accompanied himself with a six-string banjo tuned like a guitar. In 1972, I was in high school. My sophomore year, we were allowed to wear dress slacks to school. My junior year, we were allowed to wear jeans. I didn’t trust anyone over the age of thirty.
Now it’s 2016. Let’s say that Baby Boomers are the “old men” and the Millennials are like Neil Young. Boomers were born before 1964. Millennials span 1980-2000.
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Were we Baby Boomers a lot like you Millennials? Not really. Millennials have different values and interests than Baby Boomers. Millennials like same-day delivery, energy drinks, tattoos and athleisure. Millennials are confident and you are not afraid to criticize workplaces and institutions if they don’t share your values.
Because of the Great Recession, Millennials have financial challenges:
- Millennials have high rates of unemployment and heavy student loan debt. Nearly 30% live with their parents.
- Millennials report the highest levels of clinical anxiety, stress and depression of any other generation at the same age.
Some Baby Boomers say that Millennials are lazy, entitled and used to getting trophies for not doing anything. I’m a Baby Boomer- you want to know what I say?
Today- Millennials are Fantastic!
Millennials, you not only know technology, but you thrive on it. How would I keep my internet going without you? Who would show me where that little gear icon is that I am supposed to click? Who would make me watch YouTube videos about honey badgers? Tech has changed the world, and you made it happen.
Millennials are smart and creative. You have started your own successful businesses from social media empires to subscription boxes to tech and apps. None of these services or products even existed before you developed them. Thank you for making life better and more pleasurable for me.
Millennials are inspiring. You are fast, energetic, and passionate. I love being around you. You are witty, clever, entertaining, effervescent. You like dystopia and fantasy, electronic dance music and raunchy comedians, and binge-watching. You challenge everything exuberantly. I now trust everyone under 30.
I do have one bone to pick with you. You don’t want any of our Baby Boomer stuff. Your parents are downsizing and we want to give you things. Why don’t you want the dining room table that seats 12, or the china, or cocktail glasses? The leather sectional is perfectly fine! Take it! But you don’t. When you stop by for a quick dinner, we try to give you the containers filled with your old art projects, your Christening gown, you perfect attendance records. You don’t even want those.
Other than that, I applaud you and I vow to do everything I can to support and encourage the Millennials that I know. I want to hear about your dreams and goals. Tell me about school, your new business idea, the rap opera belly dancing ballet you want to produce. You are life changing and I love you!
By the way, there is one thing we have in common- we all love hand crafted brews and cocktails. Cheers!
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