How Millennials Are Redefining Adulthood

by Corvida Raven on Aug 6, 2010 • 6:00 am 10 Comments

Millennials, born after 1980 and into the early 2000’s, are the most ambitious people you’ll ever meet. Many embody qualities of productive creatives such as excelling in communication. We also have insatiable appetites for curiosity. We’re go-getters, with strengths and talents that fail to be acknowledged by the world at large. Instead, many are content to paint discouraging pictures of Millennials as these lazy kids who don’t know what way is up and don’t care which way is down. And yet, this generation is poised to be catalysts that redefines adulthood and work for world.

You’re In A Box, You’re In A Box, You’re In A Box

A few days ago, I noticed a tweet by Marsha Collier titled, “Millennial Tension: The Generation-Y Work Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. It inspired me to write a response to the opinions given on the blog. One section in the article that grabbed my attention says,

“Always interested in what members of Generation Y imagine the future to bring, I asked him what career he’d like to enter into upon graduating. With a self-satisfied smile on his face, he proudly exclaimed, “Finance!” When I asked why he wanted to go into finance, he answered, “Because I’ll be able to go into the office for maybe five or ten hours a week and bring home about $200,000 a year — to start.” “Perhaps this prodigal son of my co-worker can achieve such a standard of living skimming the American economy for its rapidly dwindling social surplus, but I doubt he can do it in five to ten hours a week. Yet it seems members of Generation Y are convinced they can do it, despite one of the worst recessions in recent American history.”

Doesn’t sound like the author is very interested in what his future would bring after all. This also begs the question, does this young man speaks for an entire generation of millions? No he doesn’t. What he does speak to is the heart of Millennials. Is it unrealistic to make $200,000 a year working 5 – 10 hours a week? Not at all! You might reply, “but it won’t be easy.” Is that your experience? Have you set out to make $200,000 a year working 5-10 hours a week? Or are you only speculating that it’s hard to achieve because that’s what you think?

“I can’t base what I’m gonna be, off of what everybody isn’t.” – Jay-Z, So Ambitious

The Adult Thing To Do

“Can we pretend that airplanes in the night skies are like shooting stars? I could really use a wish right now.” – B.O.B. Feature Haley Williams (Paramore), Airplanes

Unforgettable words to today’s anthem for Millennials. We are never afraid to shoot for the stars and land on the moon in the process. Anything is possible! We believe so because not only have we seen it amongst our peers, but the resources are accessible to achieve things beyond our wildest dreams. We’re risk-takers because the world is already overflowing with complacent people. So what if the risk seems huge? Appearances are deceiving and recessions don’t last forever. Just look at the history of struggle present in our parents or grandparents lives. Can you blame us for wanting better for ourselves and our community?

“In prior generations, you get married and you start a career and you do that immediately. What young people today are seeing is that approach has led to divorces, to people unhappy with their careers.” Brigham Young University professor Larry Nelson

Millennials refuse to accept these systems of overworking and underpaying people that are destroying the lives our loved ones. We know we have a choice, that other people simply refuse to exercise. Why bother to play the game if its designed to keep us within our current socio-economic statuses? How is that the “adult” thing to do?

The Enemy VS The Inner Me

“The greatest dreams are always unrealistic.” – Will Smith

So, we reach for our highest dreams yet aren’t encouraged to achieve them because others didn’t have the courage to do it themselves. There are so many avenues of opportunity that exist and everyday we have the power to create more. We have discovered our collective ability to create new rules and bring relevant issues of our lives to the masses. We’re past the times of telling people what they should do and how it should be done. We don’t care about failure because we were raised in systems that failed us from the beginning. We accept our limitless potential and still we rise…

Gen-Y’s Spirit of Community and Collaboration

Millennials are deeply interested in community and collaboration. Diggy Simmons, Jovany Perez, and Lyna Zerrouki, have combined their love of music, fashion, and art to form YOUNG CR?FTER$. “Turning Dreams into reality regardless of salary. Because To be rich with happiness is to be the wealthiest of men!” This quote, found on Adeen Magazine also created by members of the group, embodies the spirit of Millennials. This is what we’re really reaching for: happiness regardless of dollars. If happiness can’t be bought, why are we working so hard to make a dollar more than the dimes we’re being offered? I thought all the best things in life were free. We all know money can make things easier if you know how to use it. However, there’s a more deeply gratifying experience of purpose when the work is not about the money. Is this not adulthood?

“The motivation for me, is them telling me what I could not be. Oh well!” – Pharrell, So Ambitious

Climbing The Ladder of Social Equity

Elders continue their climb up corporate ladders without reaching back to help those after them. That’s OK, Millennials can take action without being told a thing. We’re climbing our own ladder of social equity. Millennials are getting busy solving the problems that exist right in our own backyards. The problems that have plagued our communities for decades are finally being addressed by Millennials. LGBT, urban, and environmental issues are being deeply explored by Millennials. “Members of this generation volunteer in their communities more than any other in American history,” says Business Week.

Embracing The Good, Bad, and Ugly In Life

With that being said, please wipe the surprised look off your face when Millennials express their goals for a better life. Everyone around us has been denied access to a better life or have been afraid to go after it for themselves. That time has passed. This is adulthood redefined by those who didn’t have role models that fit our world today. Who were surrounded by people too scared to make a change or take a risk. Yet, all along have known what it truly means to be an adult in our heart of hearts.

They’ve been hearing these messages repeatedly all their lives. It’s little wonder that Gen Y’ers exhibit an altruism that embraces the environment, poverty, and community problems.” – Business Week

ShoutOuts! Much thanks and love to my mentor, Kyra Guant, Associate Professor at Baruch College – CUNY. Thank you for opening my eyes to the insights of adulthood from both sides of the fence. You know what that means, right? ;) A huge congrats to Erica Goldson, a Millennial that I have no doubt will continue to push the envelope for herself and her peers. May we all be better people today because of the impacts we make and receive from others. Be sure to catch Erica’s speech, Here I Stand.

Anonymous

Interesting. Actually, what you — and all others — will discover in time is that Millennials are not risk-takers, but risk-averse. Achievement-oriented, absolutely. Upbeat, can-do and optimistic. But don’t mistake GenX traits for Millennials. Think stepped progress, Common Man, sequenced long-term career growth for Mill. GenX are free-agent, entrepreneurial, risk-taking.

You may not believe it today. But this will prove true in time.

Your blog title would be more accurate had you used the word “young” in front of “adult.” Remember, Millennials born 1982-2004 (now 6-28 years old) are, in many ways, only emerging into young adulthood with the majority of their generation still in school.

It’s GenX who are fully in adulthood and — just as Mill are moving into a new phase — so are GenXers and all other gens. Xers are now redefining “mid life” the way Millennials are redefining “young adulthood,” the way Boomers are redefining “elderhood” and Homelanders are redefining “childhood.”

Go for it with your energy. Just remember: each gen is but one piece of the puzzle. Your optimism is awesome; your facts and perspectives a bit sketchy.

May I recommend a book that I think will inspire you and arm you with facts that show your generation’s awesomeness even more? It’s Neil Howe’s latest: “Millennials in the Workplace.” http://bit.ly/d7Z6aq I might be able to hook you up with a review copy if you wanted to write a review.
Anonymous

I do think what’s brewing is a reaction (particularly in the US) against the inability to climb the “success” ladder. Most risk I see Gen Y taking is because they can’t find the “stable” jobs and don’t have a choice. They have to go around the box out of necessity. As someone on the cusp of the Gen Y & Gen X, I really see my parents as the last generation who were able to socially climb and go from rags to riches in that American dream. (But of course, many of them are losing what they had too.)

I do hope that your positive outlook prevails as more Millennials grow up and graduated from school.
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http://shegeeks.net/ Corvida Raven

Thanks for your wishes Erica!

It is difficult and challenging to climb that ladder for some, but I also have many friends now in Grad school and pretty happy about the overall direction of their life. They enjoy the corporate world (not that there’s anything wrong with it). I think we have a lot more independent thinkers that are yearning to do something different. They’re also willing to take the risk to do so. No matter what, everyone will have their ups and downs. How you’re able to view those measurements of “success” is entirely up to you.

We’re all still learning…forever.
http://shegeeks.net/ Corvida Raven

Jessie I am humbled by your reply and truly thank you for it. I feel there’s a bit of a challenge in your response that I’d like to respond to and that is the definition of adulthood.

Wikipedia defines adulthood as:

“An adult is a human being or living organism that is of relatively mature age, typically associated with sexual maturity and the attainment of reproductive age. In human context, the term has other subordinate meanings associated to social and legal concepts, for example a legal adult is a legal concept for a person who has attained the age of majority and is therefore regarded as independent, self-sufficient, and responsible (contrast with “minor”).”

Yet, there are times in the lives of many adults where sexual maturity (morality?) is thrown out the window. There are also times when older adults are not independent, self-sufficient, or responsible. There are times when young adults are. For me, being an adult is an ever-changing challenge to be a better person. It doesn’t have much to do with the money I make or what year I was born.

Kids can be adults at 5 and adults can be kids at 83. I think your actions and deeds define the level of adulthood you are at more than anything else. We’re all adults because we’re all learning and maturing everyday.
Anonymous

Hi Corvida,

Yes, and …

If you’re going to be blogging about generations (yours, others, all of
them) it’s a wondefully valuable piece of information to understand “phase
of life” and the activity relevant to each phase of life. Such things are
natural and human. And really quite informative. Here’s a bit from the
generational theory experts Strauss and Howe.

The phases, and social roles, of the modern American lifecycle can be
summarized as follows:

– *Childhood* (*pueritia*, age 0–20). Social role: *growth* (receiving
nurture, acquiring values).
– *Young Adulthood* (*iuventus*, age 21–41). Social role:
*vitality*(serving institutions, testing values).
– *Midlife* *(virilitas*, age 42–62). Social role: *power* (managing
institutions, applying values).
– *Elderhood* (*senectus*, age 63–83). Social role: *leadership* (leading
institutions, transferring values).
– *Late Elderhood* (age 84+). Social role: *dependence* (receiving
comfort from institutions, remembering values).

So, when you claim that Millennials are changing “adulthood,” my response is
yes, and …

Yes, Millennials are changing one phase of life “young adulthood,” just like
GenXers changed the definition of “young adulthood” 20 years ago, and the
Homeland generation following Millennials will change the definition of
“young adulthood in another 15 years. I like your enthusiasm and optimism.
It’s a wonderful personal trait and a common trait in your generation. It’s
refreshing. I think you’ll enjoy reading more about generations and learning
how your generation fits into the cycle of things. For example, your
generation’s cycle is –

– As *Heroes* replace Nomads in childhood during an Unraveling, they are
nurtured with increasing protection by pessimistic adults in an insecure
environment.
– As teamworking *Heroes* replace Nomads in young adulthood during a
Crisis, they challenge the political failure of elder-led crusades, fueling
a society-wide secular crisis.
– As powerful *Heroes* replace Nomads in midlife during a High, they
establish an upbeat, constructive ethic of social discipline.
– As expansive *Heroes* replace Nomads in elderhood during an Awakening,
they orchestrate ever-grander secular constructions, setting the stage for
the spiritual goals of the young.

My generation (GenX) follows this cycle –

– As *Nomads* replace Prophets in childhood during an Awakening, they are
left underprotected at a time of social convulsion and adult self-discovery.
– As alienated *Nomads* replace Prophets in young adulthood during an
Unraveling, they become brazen free agents, lending their pragmatism and
independence to an era of growing social turmoil.
– As pragmatic *Nomads* replace Prophets in midlife during a Crisis, they
apply toughness and resolution to defend society while safeguarding the
interests of the young.
– As exhausted *Nomads* replace Prophets in elderhood during a High, they
slow the pace of social change, shunning the old crusades in favor of
simplicity and survivalism.

There is a great book just published now called “Millennials in the
Workplace.” I’m headed to Burning Man (the GenX Mecca of eXtreme
Conditions), but you can contact Corena Howe at chowe@lifecourse.com. Tell
her I sent you to her as a blogger and book reviewer. Corena is bright,
upbeat, can-do and, of course, a Millennial. :D

@jessiex
Anonymous

Ah. I’m an X’er (barely) and my son is a Millennial and I have to say I only agree with this in part. I think there is a whole group of Millennials, mostly male, who feel soooo disenfranchised by what they’ve seen and the incredibly high unemployment rate for their demo, that they’ve given up.

Incredibly smart young men are unemployed, undereducated (significantly more women in this age group are in college) and, well, have returned home after a few years of playing video games and smoking weed.

Why? Because they’ve seen their parents struggle and they can’t see that any of it is worth it.

Thoughts?
Anonymous

Ah. I’m an X’er (barely) and my son is a Millennial and I have to say I only agree with this in part. I think there is a whole group of Millennials, mostly male, who feel soooo disenfranchised by what they’ve seen and the incredibly high unemployment rate for their demo, that they’ve given up.

Incredibly smart young men are unemployed, undereducated (significantly more women in this age group are in college) and, well, have returned home after a few years of playing video games and smoking weed.

Why? Because they’ve seen their parents struggle and they can’t see that any of it is worth it.

Thoughts?
http://shegeeks.net/ Corvida Raven

I know plenty of those young men, and I know that once opportunity presents themselves they will pounce on it. I feel that instead of encouraging our youth to get back “out there” and get into the job market, we should focus on allowing them to explore their own passions and become innovative entrepreneurs that make their own way. Working at a traditional company is not the only way to see success, and quite frankly, I think it’s the least likely way to see success depending on what your pursuits and interests are.
http://www.facebook.com/ingridriley Ingrid Riley

I think anyone who’s arguing from the point of view of the group they were born in are playing into the debate, the in the box thinking that was created by the people who invented these groups in the first place. WHo do you think invented these groupings ?Fcuk the Gen Y, Millenials Gen X labels and just DO YOU?! I am so over members of any of these groups, either patting themselves on the back or pointing fingers of blame at each other. Why are we even trying to put forth an argument about what each group is or isn’t. Such a waste of time. Let’s stop behaving like lab rats being observed by a bunch of marketers.Find success stories across the board, across the world regardless of age, sex location. And if you find nothing you can relate to or that which will inspire you then have fun going out and becoming that. Why further a meaningless debate.Just DO YOU!