Millennials

[DSmith21]

Sorry I misread the intent of your post. You mentioned 1990s, followed by specifically mentioning AOL in 1991. This was in a reply to Ron Mehico who threw out the dates 2000-2010. Then I responded and specifically stated that internet use was not widespread in the early 1990s and linked a source (not sure why you have a problem with that).

Perhaps if you had just stated AOL usage numbers from 1999, to begin with, it would have saved some confusion. I don't think many people would split hairs over 1999 vs. 2000.

You are right it would have been more correct to say that by the end of the 1990's the internet was in wide spread use. By that time, Napster was around, there was online video gaming, most businesses relied on e-mail and had a web presence, Amazon.com had been in operation for 5 years and the internet porn business (the largest use of the internet) was in full swing. The 2000s built upon that base and made it better with smartphones, faster speeds, public WIFI, etc.

 

[crazyqx83]

My generation (boomer) spent too much time working, making and spending money. I've said to my kids a billion times how they don't know the value of a $. Then I tell them how when I was a kid if someone had told me they'd give me a dollar to pick up a wet dog turd, I'd have done it. ....... Then I think "Maybe they do know the real value of a dollar a lot better than I do". Too many of us failed to spend time and develop relationships with them when they were kids. We were either working or out on the weekends enjoying our toys.

In general, I find millenials have a hard time sustaining and commiting to relationships. Probably because we didn't teach them how. They've been used to being given stuff, because WE tried to substitute stuff for relationships. They are, pretty much, what we taught them to be.

The problem is, your generation had cheap education costs and costs in general. You had a flourishing economy (outside of a few year stretch in the late 70s and early 80s). People with just a high school education could afford a decent living and "toys." I know it's anecdotal, but tons of people I know that are my peers can't afford "toys." Hell, I went to college for 6 years and have 7 years work experience and can barely afford a small house and my bills. Education costs have skyrocketed. Insurance costs have skyrocketed. The boomers turn around and want to say "well, you shouldn't have got a degree in some worthless liberal arts field." I have a degree in architecture. I know people that have law degrees that can't find jobs. Half of my graduating class went into graphic design or hospitality industry because the construction industry tanked the year I graduated. These are the jobs that boomers told us to strive for with the pie in the sky education policies that have been in place for 30 years. Basically the only protected fields have been engineering, IT and medical related. Well guess what... what's gonna happen when your ass and 75 million other boomers start keeling over? 30% of the medical field is gonna dry up because a) the unhealthy people are the largest proportion of our population and b) policies have made the current direction of medicine completely unsusrainable.

At least you admitted your generation created this mess. We shall see if it's fixable.

 

[crazyqx83]

"Struggle some in life"? That's a pretty bold statement. Why would you want that for your child? And if you think doing chores is struggling in life, well ...

People need to fail some in life to learn how to succeed. My parents let me fail enough to not be a complete pouse-master, but I believe I'd be better off if the time my car broke down outside of savannah when I was 20 that they would have let me figure out how to panhandle my way home instead of picking me up (I paid to have the car towed). Now kids don't even get beat for shittin' their pants at 6 years old. No wonder we are where we are.

 

[ukrjr1]

I remember it taking 45 minutes to download one song...I would go straight bonks if the download time was only in the 20's. That was sophomore/junior year of high school.

We got out first computer when I was 12.

 

[Joey Rupption]

Honestly, the year 2000-2010 is one of the most dramatic decades and I think will be considered that when we look back at it many years from now. Internet changed the world, it really did. I think that's the main thing. So many more opportunities to interact with and see other cultures, people, and things. Its really kind of ridiculous when you see movies like Back to the Future II and the Fifth Element and see how stupid their thoughts about the future are, because quite frankly not even the most creative of people could have ever imagined what the internet would do to our lives.

You might enjoy this book:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Culture-Time-Space-1880-1918/dp/067402169X

 

[crazyqx83]

Coming up, me and my friends looked up to folks like Houdini, The Lone Ranger, Bruce Lee, and Rob Dibble.

Today's generation looks up Justin Beiber and reality tv. If I'm taking a hill, the first group is coming with me.

Don't act like the boomers didn't have their own stupid ass teen heartthrobs.

 

[crazyqx83]

I remember it taking 45 minutes to download one song...I would go straight bonks if the download time was only in the 20's. That was sophomore/junior year of high school.

We got out first computer when I was 12.

Same here. I remember our compaq Presario well. Was probably about 1995. Trying to play tie fighter over a dial up connection and the struggle of trying to keep the hissing and wheezing AOL made to a minimum when it was 1:30 am and somehow got disconnected.

 

[UK_Norm]

I'm 31 and refuse to consider myself a millennial.

I agree with whoever said that if you can remember the first time you ever used the Internet, you're not a millennial.

 

[crazyqx83]

I'm 31 and refuse to consider myself a millennial.

I agree with whoever said that if you can remember the first time you ever used the Internet, you're not a millennial.

I can distinctly remember not using the Internet until 6th grade (1993). Our computer use prior to then was strictly for playing Oregon trail.

 

[ukrjr1]

I brought this up in another thread, but I work in higher education at a local community college....

I had a 19-year-old college student's mom bust into my office last week and lose her shit on me because I failed her kid. It was a four week class and the kid came five times and fully completed one assignment, but it was my fault for not motivating her angel. I stayed composed for the first five or so minutes, then basically told her where her and her kid can go.

Parents of Millennials, FTL.

 

[crazyqx83]

I brought this up in another thread, but I work in higher education at a local community college....

I had a 19-year-old college student's mom bust into my office last week and lose her shit on me because I failed her kid. It was a four week class and the kid came five times and fully completed one assignment, but it was my fault for not motivating her angel. I stayed composed for the first five or so minutes, then basically told her where her and her kid can go.

Parents of Millennials, FTL.

Yea. This happened to my wife numerous times the one year she taught 7th grade back in 2008 (so that would make your 19 year old student her students 7 years later). Between the parents and administrators she quit and took a 50% pay cut not to have to deal with that lunacy.

When I was growing up, if my grades sucked, I'd get punished for it. The last thing my parents would think to do is yell at my teacher.

 

[LadyCat92]

Their parents. I get wanting the best for your kids and out of your kids, but too many parents now make sure little Suzie has the very best and give into their demands. The parents spoil the kids and they protect the hell out of them. When I started interviewing kids that had to discuss everything with their parents or when they would come into an interview saying, "My dad said to ask you...", I knew this was a lost generation.

Stop raising a bunch of spoiled ass brats. Let them get their hands dirty. Let them struggle. It won't kill them.

 

[domino79]

Don't act like the boomers didn't have their own stupid ass teen heartthrobs.

Not comparing heartthrobs, but role models.

 

[GonzoCat90]

Not comparing heartthrobs, but role models.

Then why not include fictional characters that kids still look up to today? Little kids "want to be like" Batman or Harry Potter or a whole bunch of other characters as much as they did The Lone Ranger or Bruce Lee back in the day.

WTF does that have to do with anything anyway? Bruce Lee? In what way was that beneficial to a child? Just beat the living hell out of every bad guy?

 

[ukrjr1]

When I said that I have Millennial traits (being 30, I identify more with Gen X), I know that I was spoiled growing up. I didn't get everything I wanted, but I got a lot...HOWEVER...

When it came to education, my parents would check in with my teachers on a weekly basis to make sure I had MY shit together. Not the other way around. If I didn't turn in my homework or gave the teacher some attitude, it was MY ass. My mom was active in PTA and my dad coached my basketball and baseball teams...holding me accountable if I messed up.

Also, my parents never bothered any of my college professors. Ever. If I made a shitty grade and had to retake a class, well, there goes the extra spending money I was hoping for. If either of my parents ever contacted one of my college professors, I would be mortified. I was an adult, it was my responsibility. Not sure how the parents or students think that's okay.

 

[GonzoCat90]

When I said that I have Millennial traits (being 30, I identify more with Gen X), I know that I was spoiled growing up. I didn't get everything I wanted, but I got a lot...HOWEVER...

When it came to education, my parents would check in with my teachers on a weekly basis to make sure I had MY shit together. Not the other way around. If I didn't turn in my homework or gave the teacher some attitude, it was MY ass. My mom was active in PTA and my dad coached my basketball and baseball teams...holding me accountable if I messed up.

Also, my parents never bothered any of my college professors. Ever. If I made a shitty grade and had to retake a class, well, there goes the extra spending money I was hoping for. If either of my parents ever contacted one of my college professors, I would be mortified. I was an adult, it was my responsibility. Not sure how the parents or students think that's okay.

Ditto.

I don't think you can blame an 18 year old who thinks that their parents have to come and speak to another adult on their behalf. That kid clearly hasn't been given a chance to do anything. If you raise someone to be dependent, they're going to be dependent.

Going back to what I said earlier, I think this is the first generation of parents that have had the ability to help their child every step of the way. The intentions there were great, I'm sure, it's just a drastic change and so those kids are looked at as aliens by people raised in a much, much different way.

 

[crazyqx83]

Not comparing heartthrobs, but role models.

Bieber is not a role model. If you haven't noticed, only tween girls like the Biebs.

But if the mother touching lone ranger was your role model, that's exponentially more disturbing.

 

[UK_Norm]

I can distinctly remember not using the Internet until 6th grade (1993). Our computer use prior to then was strictly for playing Oregon trail.

I used the internet for the first time in 1997 (7th grade). Things take a little longer to take off in EKY.

 

[jamo0001]

yeah well millennials are about to put the pubic louse on the endangered species list so they're not all bad.

 

[Svarog]

MTV ruined the girls. Video gaming ruined the boys. Fantasy sports ruined sports for the rest of us because it brought all the nerds in and gave them a place at the table like normal people.

So we have no family, nothing to enjoy without listening to who is going to get paid what or traded because of cap space... so that leaves us all... here.

 

[UK_Norm]

When it came to education, my parents would check in with my teachers on a weekly basis to make sure I had MY shit together. Not the other way around.

This is such a huge problem these days. Parents automatically believe the kid's side of the story, without question. For me it was the complete opposite. My parents never believed me when I made an excuse for a bad grade or for getting in trouble. And they were 100% right to do so because I was always lying through my teeth.

 

[Svarog]

On a more serious note, millennials lie pathologically. Like they don't get the entire concept of truth. They lie with no trace of self-reflection. It's why they're so good at Texas Hold'em.

 

[GonzoCat90]

On a more serious note, millennials lie pathologically. Like they don't get the entire concept of truth. They lie with no trace of self-reflection. It's why they're so good at Texas Hold'em.

I'm sure a time will come when they all have to eat crow.

 

[MegaBlue05]

I'm a Gen Xer, and I see good and bad in millennials.

Good:
Way less racist and prejudiced than previous generations (Not as many redneck whites dropping N bombs, homophobia has virtually disappeared, etc.).
Favor widespread equality over religious dogma
More technologically advanced

Bad:
Selfish
A bit lazy
More pretentious and mouthy
Skinny jeans, boat shoes, fedoras

 

[domino79]

Back in the good old days, men still wore leather boots, kids respected the college dean, and white lightning was the roughest thing on campus.

I don't know why there's so many haters on here today.

 

[domino79]

Bieber is not a role model. If you haven't noticed, only tween girls like the Biebs.

But if the mother touching lone ranger was your role model, that's exponentially more disturbing.

You sure are getting your panties in a bunch over my Bieber comment. What's your favorite song?

 

[Svarog]

The microaggression is strong in this one.

 

[domino79]

Then why not include fictional characters that kids still look up to today? Little kids "want to be like" Batman or Harry Potter or a whole bunch of other characters as much as they did The Lone Ranger or Bruce Lee back in the day.

WTF does that have to do with anything anyway? Bruce Lee? In what way was that beneficial to a child? Just beat the living hell out of every bad guy?

Pfft. I like how Batman rolled over every time he was confronted with a bad guy, so I don't know exactly what you're trying to say?

True story: Bruce Lee actually taught kung fu to the real-life Batman back in the day.

 

[DaBossIsBack]

Yea. This happened to my wife numerous times the one year she taught 7th grade back in 2008 (so that would make your 19 year old student her students 7 years later). Between the parents and administrators she quit and took a 50% pay cut not to have to deal with that lunacy.

When I was growing up, if my grades sucked, I'd get punished for it. The last thing my parents would think to do is yell at my teacher.

This is why I quit teaching. I taught for one year and was like eff this. Administration and parents mainly.

 

[crazyqx83]

You sure are getting your panties in a bunch over my Bieber comment. What's your favorite song?

High ho silver... AWAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY

 

[AustinTXCat]

I'm sure a time will come when they all have to eat crow.

 

[BreckCo.Wildcat]

Smartphone Zombies. My 16 yo daughter sends 3,000 texts per month. My wife and I send around 150 each month; mostly to each other.

Millennial's are terrible to work with. Instead of trying to find things to do and be productive, they try to find free time to play on their phone. You almost cannot train a Millennial to do a complex job because you can only hold their attention for a short time; their phones requires half their attention.

Cannot count how many young people I have fired because of their smartphones.

 

[DSmith21]

Pfft. I like how Batman rolled over every time he was confronted with a bad guy, so I don't know exactly what you're trying to say?

True story: Bruce Lee actually taught kung fu to the real-life Batman back in the day.

It must have been when the Green Hornet joined forces with Batman for a short time. You must not be a millennial to know about this.

 

[-LEK-]

I'm sure a time will come when they all have to eat crow.

 

[wkycatfan]

combination of bad parents who try to spoil their kids and education system who teach them that atheism and communism are truths. we are now too far removed from the greatest generation.

 

[ctharris07]

I was born in 1981. Am I a millennial or Gen Y?

Just found this, comports with what I've heard.....

2000/2001-Present - New Silent Generation or Generation Z
1980-2000 - Millennials or Generation Y
1965-1979 - Generation X
1946-1964 - Baby Boomers
1925-1945 - Silent Generation
1900-1924 - G.I. Generation

 

[catlanta33]

This is such a huge problem these days. Parents automatically believe the kid's side of the story, without question. For me it was the complete opposite. My parents never believed me when I made an excuse for a bad grade or for getting in trouble. And they were 100% right to do so because I was always lying through my teeth.

Other than the lying, since I've always told on myself for whatever reason, if something happened at school or outside playing my mom would immediately blame us then try to find out what actually happened.

 

[jamo0001]

I'm sure a time will come when they all have to eat crow's toasted anus.

That's effed up, man

 

[GonzoCat90]

combination of bad parents who try to spoil their kids and education system who teach them that atheism and communism are truths. we are now too far removed from the greatest generation.

What education system, where, teaches that, and how do you know?

And apparently the greatest generation didn't do a very good job of teaching their children to be parents if these millennials have such poor guidance.

 

[Mashburned]

The greatest generation would all be locked up for eternity by today's standards. Everyone of em.

That's what I don't like about the current system. You're taught about the "greatest generation", then you're taught that those same people were awful humans. Pick one. We're either proud of our heritage, accomplishments, or we're ashamed of our past. Right now, we can't make up our mind. That has been shifting to "shame" though.

More facts, less opinions and lies. Let the kids decide.