a few thoughts on our generation.

I say "our generation" loosely - I'm 30 and so I know that I can't speak for 36 year olds or 24 year olds in any definitive way...so, take this post for what it is, the opinions of one person who is right on the edge of both Gen X & Y.

I think that we all get a little tired of hearing about how young adults are irresponsible, afraid of commitment, too idealistic, etc.  I know there have been times when I've actually said some things on this blog in support of this point of view - generalizations are never altogether off base.  But, one must be careful when making them.

We get tired of the bad rap and some of us might even get a little irritable when we hear it.  If that's you, you would hate Jean Twenge's book, Generation Me.  Here's a few tasty tidbits from her:

• We are too confident that everything will work out just fine - "In a recent survey, a stunning 98% of college freshmen agreed with the statement, 'I am sure that one day I will get to where I want to be in life." pg. 78
• We have unrealistic goals - 19% of college freshmen say they will earn a Ph.D. and 12% say they will earn an M.D.  Twenge then says, "Grand ambitions indeed, since the number of Ph.D.'s granted each year is only 4% of the bachelor's degrees given, and M.D.'s only 1%. Thus about 4 in 5 aspiring Ph.D.'s will be disappointed, and a whopping 11 in 12 would-be doctors will not reach their goals." pg. 79
• We expect to be wealthy - "In 1999, teens predicted that they would be earning, on average, $75,000 a year by the time they were 30. The average income of a 30-year-old that year? -$27,000." pg. 79
• This one is particularly biting: she argues our career choices are motivated, ultimately, by selfishness - "Many young people today don't want to commit to a career and stay with it because they'd like to find exactly the right job for them. Jeffrey Arnett, author of Emerging Adulthood, says, 'They're not just looking for a job. They want something that's more like a calling, that's going to be an expression of their identity.' Overall, it's the pursuit of individual wants at its most undiluted." pg. 98

Okay, c'mon Twenge, lay off a little.  That was my first thought...until I opened the September/October 2009 edition of Relevant, a magazine that makes sure Christians are just that (and yeah, I do subscribe to it).  On page 72 of this edition is an article on what to do if you're not going back to school, "starting with the most orthodox and progressing to the more imaginative."  Here's a few ideas (from the article):

• Get a job - this one is cast in a pretty negative light, described as unglamorous and regular.  Who wants that?
• Do Fun School - the idea here is that maybe you have an inkling to become a sushi chef...so, do it and maybe one day you can make money.
• Travel - "It's the world, and it's all out there waiting for you to see it and be it."
• Become a Citizen Journalist - "You have a laptop. You have a camera. You have a cell phone. You are a citizen journalist!"
• Start a Business - "Start writing and doodling about things you'd like to do...Write faster and bigger.  Draw some arrows. Think about marketing and pricing...You have a business plan."

So, I don't want to be the downer here, but as I read this article I wondered what ever happened to good old productivity - starting in the mail room and through hardwork and diligence, working one's way into the job they would want? Not trying to be a dream crusher here - I know a lot of talented people, people who have started businesses, who have free-lanced, who have written a book and been published before the age of 30...

I guess I'm just wondering if sometimes we're our own worst enemy, whether our approach to life makes us easy targets for Twenge and others.  I always think of my grandpa, he reminds me often that he worked because that's what people do, he never stopped to think about whether it was fun or not.  Maybe that's a luxury we now enjoy because of others like him.  And, maybe I'm overthinking again.

Comments

[Stacy Anderson]

"We get tired of the bad rap and some of us might even get a little irritable when we hear it. If that's you, you would hate Jean Twenge's book, Generation Me"-----

Yep, that's me. Irritated! (Let me just preface this by saying that I'm fairly well known as a cynical realist, so it's saying something that I'm irritated by this) I guess my question is, what is her conclusion as to why it's so incredibly terrible that people are optimistic and idealistic? The fact is that all kids are idealistic until they face the real world or get knocked down. Some of us get knocked down earlier than others. I think our generation is just getting knocked down later in life.

I again contend though, that we are the first generation of people and perhaps Christians to quit sitting inside the church walls and actually get out there in the mess. There have always been a few missionaries here and there that got out there in history, but the statistics say our generation does more to end poverty, fight racism, and change inhumane policies than any generation in history.

All kids dream big! When a small child is learning to walk and he falls down, do most parents say "Ah, just stay down there ya stupid kid, you're just gonna fall again anyway!" Usually not, usually parents say get up and try it again. Why does Twenge feel the need to knock our generation down, and then tell us to stay there? And why do you support her by buying her Dream-Killing books?

[Ryan]

The astounding thing about Twenge is that she is one of us--she stands inside the generation and is telling us what she sees. This isn't some Boomer complaining about her interns that won't ever get to work. I find that pretty interesting...does it lend her viewpoint credibility?

[lkr]

Yeah, I laughed out loud at Stacy's ...stay down there ya stupid kid...

I side with the following:
global marketplace/ global church/ individual responsibility

If we love God...and live out of that...do the details really matter?

Not until somebody else has to start unwillingly paying for us, I suppose. And not unless its about what is "due" to us verses what we can "do."