Thread: Millenials - What's wrong with this generation :p

I never really considered myself a milennial, I was more in the Gen X/Y camp, being born in the mid 80's. But the 'generation' gap is always played out as a big deal when in fact it's all just part of society evolving. Some will be in front of the curve (new tech, communication etc), and others will lag. The vocal crowd are always the laggers.

But when people say 'we' are entitled and out of touch with the world, the contrary could also be argued. Entitlement today just takes a different form to the entitlement of yesteryear. Many of the boomers, and genX are still reaping the rewards of free university education. While I have a 55K HECS/HELP debt to show for my 8 years of studies (I got off lightly, too, I might add).
People my parents age bought their first home for $52,000 in the early 80- adjusted for inflation, that's a shade over $170K. Houses there are now upwards of $650K. They lived in a world where globablisation was not yet a concern, we had our own industry in our own country, and people worked a job 'for life'. I think most would agree that is not the case these days.
I've been in the full-time workforce for maybe 7 years now, and have seen incredible change beyond anything I would have expected- all to react to a rapidly changing market (in the mining/manufacturing/industrial space).

This sense of 'Entitlement' which is being touted is probably also a disconnect between the modern reality, and the projected experiences/expectaions of the older generations on their children.

While my above post was intended as a joke first and foremost, every joke holds an ounce of truth.

Originally Posted by Toxic_Avenger

If I had a dollar for every time someone over 40 tells me my generation is crap, then I'd be able to afford a house in the economy the messed up.

Mitch, I'm a Gen X'er (just) and we were lumped with the same labels when I was young and I hear you on housing affordability.

The company I work for has a number of techs and apprentices (naturally) under 30 and they are all great guys and gals, as are the office staff in the same age range.

The 20yo first (now second) year that's been shadowing me the last few months will be an excellent tech.
I throw him jobs tradesman baulk at and he just gets on with it, partly as I think I don't baby him, it shows I have confidence by giving him the jobs I do.
Sure, he makes the odd mistake but I really throw him in at the deep end. He's learning to think (extroverts tend to act/react and blurt rather than think problems through) and he's good fun to work with.
Our other techs are the same, although I did have to chip one of our really switched on 26yo's one day "get off the bloody phone !"

Originally Posted by Toxic_Avenger

If I had a dollar for every time someone over 40 tells me my generation is crap, then I'd be able to afford a house in the economy the messed up.

I'll make you another buck, Mitch.

I think age jealousy has a bit to do with it.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

I'll make you another buck, Mitch.



I think age jealousy has a bit to do with it.

Oh hell no! You couldn't pay me to be in my 20s again...

I'd suggest though Mitch. Globalisation came from driven factors... The internet etc.. knocking down borders...

Where once domestic support was high now we just shop across the globe for the cheapest source. Even though this doesn't factor in local income levels etc.. in much the same way Sydney wages are higher than Adelaide wages on account of cost of living variation (loose example)..

House prices - that's through stupidity - people wanting a huge house for their first home etc drive demand for higher end suburbs and prices skyrocketed as a result.. people paying way too much for a simple Brick/Veneer...

Then there's the cars - half the lads around here are onto their 2nd (or later vehicle) - we all had the crap first vehicle but these lads are now driving VE/VF HSVs, F6s etc. 21 with a $70k+ vehicle (and associated debt)...

I worked with a young lady who between her and her partner have a modest home. With $100k worth of Art in it, a LCD TV in every bedroom, lounge and family room (all high end) and 2 very flash vehicles... they're in debt a good solid $500k in Whyalla

HECS debts I don't disagree with... paying for a Degree is appropriate I believe.. and the repayment system is not too bad. although I do believe the student for life brigade need reigning in... (for the record I have a debt)

I wouldn't say the last generation created the current debt issues, I'd suggest a combination of both the last and the current have worked together to do the damage - after all the biggest consumers are the new gen and the corporations are trying to monopolise the markets (last gen) through targeted sales.

And I'd suggest using the phrase "Society morphs or transitions" rather than evolves.. Many of the skills that make a society just that (rather than autonomous individuals) are dying and we are now more just a population rather than a society..

We speak of freedoms, but when they don't work we demand rules.
We speak of free markets and competition, but when it causes big price increases and lack of investment we complain.
We want huge salaries, but baulk at paying a price that enables sellers to also make a good income.
We speak of lack of industry and jobs, but buy products from overseas (see other points above)
We sing praises of our nation, but spend our holiday dollars overseas
We have premium Aussie manufacturers (lockers, axles, bar work etc), yet we buy from overseas
We rush to have the best of everything; houses, cars, electronics.. and start a debt cycle at an early age.

And education... we now sell entry to University to virtually anyone, regardless of capability and then allow them to do almost any degree.. Formerly they offered a specified number of placements in each field. Only the best of the applicants was successful.. Now it's more a business rather than an educational facility. This was beginning to change as I was entering my 20s.

Hopefully a slight change to the "entitlement and PC" culture will restore some balance.
Let's face it, colouring in books, hot chocolate, safe rooms - for people upset their Political candidate wasn't elected - demonstrates a failing in the system when teaching people to deal with negative emotions.

Originally Posted by Tombie

Oh hell no! You couldn't pay me to be in my 20s again...

I'd like to be back there with the years of wisdom I've now accumulated.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

I'd like to be back there with the years of wisdom I've now accumulated.

What's that saying? "Youth is wasted on the young."

Originally Posted by Toxic_Avenger

If I had a dollar for every time someone over 40 tells me my generation is crap, then I'd be able to afford a house in the economy the messed up.

Well now you can put a shiny number on the letter box as well.