MILLENNIAL BLUES
Two years ago the song “You’ve Gotta Love Millennials” by Micah Tyler was released on Youtube. The song quickly went viral for its infectious, acapella melody and comedic lyrics. Tyler sings about the millennial generation, which is defined as those born between 1980 and 1990. In the song, the 20-to-30 year olds are painted as idealistic, lazy, social media addicts with an affinity for avocado toast and participation trophies.
Nearly 6 million views later, and the negative stereotypes of an entire generation are forever immortalized in one catchy song. And it’s not just Youtube singers that are taking aim at millennials. News sources consistently run stories that paint them in a negative light. And this depiction in the media may be the reason most millennials themselves shy away from the label.
In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, millennials are 60% more likely to reject their generation’s label. Cedric Hood, a 23-year-old media, communications and journalism student, said he doesn’t like to call himself a millennial.
“I don’t really believe in labels,” said Hood. “I hear so many negative things about millennials and I just don’t feel like I fall into that category. Millennials being lazy, just the whole technology thing, being glued to their phones, everything handed down to them. ”
But is there any truth to the myths about millennials? According to a study by the Pew Research Center, more millennials live with their parents than with their significant others or on their own. And yes, millennials do love their technology. In fact, Pew said that millennials view their use of technology as one of the defining characteristics of their generation.
But are they lazy? Elizabeth Whitney, 23, disagrees.
“I definitely don’t think we are lazy and selfish,” Whitney said. “A lot of us a hard working. Most of us have jobs, live our lives and go to college.”
And the numbers back them up. In 2016, millennials became the largest generation in US workforce. But many millennials feel like things have been more difficult for their generation than previous generations.
Millennials are more burdened by financial hardships than their predecessors. They suffer from higher levels of student loan debt, poverty, homelessness. lower levels of wealth and personal income.
“It’s harder to get a job. It’s harder to get an apartment, ” Whitney said. “It wasn’t the same for them.
Yes, millennials have a harder time finding jobs and homes, but it’s not all negative. Millennials are the most racially diverse generation in American history. Some 43% of millennial adults are non-white, the highest share of any generation. And millennials are quick to remind you that they are all different.
“None of us are the stereotypical image that you paint us as,” Whitney said.