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In Defense of Millennials

  • nina fides g.
  • Jul 10, 2020
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jul 10, 2020


Millennials have been receiving a lot of flak. This is noticeable when Gen Zs or zoomers mock us on TikTok about “adulting,” as if our maturity is stunted. Boomers also make snide comments on how self- absorbed we are as the “selfie” generation. While these things may be true, people have to understand that our behaviors are shaped by the distinct period we live in and by the collective experiences we share.

In the CBC interview of Malcolm Harris by Michael Enright, the two discuss the underlying issues that millennials face these days. These are the existential ennui and competitiveness of the workforce. As a millennial, Malcolm Harris says that we are more self-focused and more anxious. It is because these behaviors came from the influence of technology which millennials have experienced through the rise of smartphones and the global internet. Harris also argues that these generational attitudes come from a pattern based on history.


In his book called, "The Laws of Human Nature," Robert Greene says that we are born into a generation that defines who we are more than we can imagine. It forms values and ways of thinking that each individual inevitably internalizes.

All generations have positives and negatives. This stems from observations and behaviors from the previous generation, including how we cope with our current period. According to a Buzzfeed video, Millennials, compared to other generations, are less likely to take part in marriage, religion, military, and political parties.

Millennials are born into a generation of helicopter parenting where parents are thinking decades ahead into their children’s future and saturating them with too many lessons. This is understandable because the world is becoming more competitive. Malcolm Harris gives an example in the finance industry where new hires from top schools are pitted against each other.

While it is good that our generation is invested in human capital or acquiring new skills, there is a trend where people have too many credentials. This makes labour cheaper when you have too many coders, translators, or designers. This keeps most Millennials busy while not showing impressive results, at the same time yearning for more meaningful work. Millennials want change to happen, and we also want to change how works get done. As Harris points out, we've been told we could do anything. The combination of all these makes us seem restless, impatient, and sometimes delusional.

The author points out he’s optimistic but realistic. I think it’s valuable to have both lenses when we look at our world today, but the podcast’s realistic take makes our future look bleak. Michael Enright highlights a line from the book, that Millennials can be the first generation of true American fascists or revolutionaries. This can be observed through what is happening presently. There are polarizing cultural wars; radical-left SJW (Social Justice Warriors) vs. extreme-right, hyper feminist vs. MGTOW (Men Going Their Own Way), etc. It is overwhelming at times, especially on social media. I want to trust that there is a silent majority in our generation, quietly gaining knowledge and using reason to navigate through this.

Harris says that the most we can hope for is the end of categorizations. I understand that structures can constrict, but I don’t agree with this because structures do help societies at some level. What I hoped for in the podcast was to learn more or gain some clarity of what the role of millennials plays in our society, and what his take on that is.

We didn’t choose the millennial life; the millennial life chose us is my defense of our generation. We need to remind ourselves that each generation does not define who they are but how each individual interprets their unique roles within it. Harris points out that only a lucky few will have careers in their lives. This might be a bummer for some but I remember this quote from one of my favorite authors, Cheryl Strayed. In her book called “Tiny Beautiful Things” that has helped me in my early 20s, she says, “You don't have a career. You have a life. Do the work. Keep the faith.” I'm hopeful that when we apply that as millennials, we can graduate from just “adulting” to admirable adults.



pic from unsplash.com

 
 
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