Posted in Generation Y/Millennials Managing Generational Differences on September 5, 2010 at 7:30 am
On page 8 of the September 5 issue of The New York Times Magazine, you’ll find my response to the recent cover article, “What Is It About 20-Somethings?” as the featured letter. I’m very grateful to The Times for printing my comments.
Here is an excerpt of my letter:
As I read Robin Marantz Henig’s discussion of 20-somethings, I was struck by the sense that the new life stage she was ascribing to this generation could actually be something that adults of all ages experience today: feeling unstable, struggling with ferocious competition for jobs, wondering if our relationships and finances can go the distance.
I consider it progress that every young person doesn’t feel the need to complete school, leave home, marry and have a child by a certain deadline. There is no “one size fits all” adulthood…
Read the rest of the letter here.
What did you think of Marantz Henig’s article? Please share your thoughts!
@Amy – thank you for the comment and for being a recent guest on my radio show. You are doing great things and are an excellent example of a 20-something on a unique and exciting path. Thanks for being a role model!
Lindsey
Lindsey,
Your comments to the article in the NYT was great. I have always struggled myself with following what the next step is…ie. go to college, get a good job for what you went to college for, get married, buy a house, have kids…the end. How are you supposed to pick what you want to do at 18 for the rest of your life? People are constantly re-creating themselves at every age. I have seen people struggle later on in life with finding themselves & what they really want when they really stopped to think about it, only because they did what was expected. Thank you for allowing 20 somethings and people of all ages, to ask themselves, “What do I really want?”
@Sherman – thank you for the comment and for sharing your personal situation. Best of luck to you and your son!
Lindsey
Lindsey, I agree with you! These are situations we’re all going through at every stage in life. My son is in his 20′s and we’re both out of a job, both wondering whether our finances will last, and both wondering if our relationships can survive the stress. I have a hard time seeing the difference in this new day and age.
@Penny – thank you very much for sharing your thoughts.
Lindsey
I think the New York Times article describes what we are seeing in today’s young adults. I believe there are many reasons for the changes we are seeing and why it may seem that today’s young people are taking longer to become adults.
I think the many changes that occur in families today and the high incidence of divorce can be seen as a contributing factor in how young adults view relationships and their ability to create a secure future for themselves and their future family. I also believe that this generation of young people have been coddled more by their parents (hence helicopter parents) than any previous generation in recent times, which may cause them to feel insecure in their own ability to make it on their own. The current job market is definitely a contributing factor to young adults who are finding themselves without a job since lack of adequate financial resources makes moving back home seem much more attractive.
In addition, all of the technological advances that this group of young people have grown up with has helped them to become use to immediate gratification and a belief that their needs will be taken care even if they don’t get a job right away or decide to move back home until they feel more financially secure in their lives.
The challenges that today’s group of new graduates are facing is also a major concern since up to now things may have come too easily and without much effort on their part. Realizing that a college education does not guarantee a high income or even a job of any kind can be a real surprise to the majority of young adults. The fact that they may feel unable to support themselves financially after graduation, may force them to feel the necessity to move home until the job market improves and they can finally secure employment full time.
[...] Read the rest of the letter here. [...]
@Mary Kaye – Thank you very much for the comment, and I’m glad to know about your site!
Lindsey
Bravo Lindsey for sharing your comments on the NYT article. I echo your thoughts that adults of all ages face the same work+life challenges. I work with Comeback Moms – women who spent a fair amount of time out of the workforce raising a family and are now making their return. Millennials and Comeback Moms share an optimism that a blend between a satisfying professional life and a gratifying personal life is achievable. I’m glad the Millennials have you in their corner.