1. Young people think and behave the same at all times. One generation is just like the one before it and the one that follows. False: Each generation is different from the one before it and the one that follows. Today’s young people, the Millennials (born 1982-2003), are a “civic” generation. They were revered and protected by their parents and are becoming group-oriented, egalitarian institution builders as they emerge into adulthood. Millennials are sharply distinctive from the divided, moralistic Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) and the cynical, individualistic Gen-Xers (born 1965-1981), the two generations that preceded them and who are their parents.
2. Millennials are narcissistic, self-indulgent kids who think they are entitled to everything. False: Millennials have a deep commitment to community and helping others, putting this belief into action with community service activities. Virtually all Millennial high school students (80%) participate in a community service activity. Two decades ago when all high school students were Gen-Xers, only a quarter (27%) did so.
3. Millennials volunteer and serve because they are “forced” to or are trying to polish their college application resume. False: Millennials volunteer for community and public service in large numbers long after their “required” initial high school experiences. In 2006, more than a quarter (26%) of National Service volunteers were Millennials, at a time when Millennials comprised no more than 15% of the adult population. By contrast in 1989 when all young adults were members of Generation X, only 13% of National Service volunteers were in this age cohort.
4. Millennials became Democrats and liberals because they are hero worshipers of Barack Obama. False: Millennials identified as Democrats and liberals well before Obama emerged as a major political force with significant name identification. In 2007, Millennials identified as Democrats over Republicans by 52% to 30% and as liberals over conservatives by 29% vs. 16% (the rest were moderate). At that time, Barack Obama’s name identification was barely 50%, well below that of Hillary Clinton and John Edwards, his chief competitors for the Democratic presidential nomination.
5. Millennials will become more conservative as they age. False: Party identification and ideological orientation are formed when people are young and are retained as they age. Prior “civic” generations, with similar belief systems to Millennials, kept that philosophy throughout their lives. The only two generations that gave John Kerry a majority of their votes over George W. Bush in 2004 were the first sliver of Millennials eligible to vote and the last segment of members of the GI Generation, all of whom were at least 80 and many of whom were casting their final presidential vote.
6. Millennials, like all young people, are apathetic and uninterested in voting. False: Young people’s proclivity to vote or not is not based upon their age but their generation’s belief in the efficacy of voting. Millennials are members of an activist and politically involved “civic” generation. They have voted heavily in the past and will continue to do so in the future. According to CIRCLE, an organization that examines youth political participation trends, 6.5 million people under 30 voted in presidential primaries and caucuses in 2008, double the youth participation rate of 2000. Fifty-three percent of Millennials voted in the 2008 general election (59% in the competitive battle ground states), up from 37% in 1996 when all young voters were member of Generation X.
7. Like Boomers and Gen-Xers before them, Millennials are cynical and disillusioned by the problems facing them and America. False: In spite of the fact that they are far more likely to be unemployed and far less likely than older Americans to have health insurance, Millennials are more optimistic than older generations. A May 2009 Pew survey indicates that about three-quarters of Millennials in contrast to two-thirds of older generations are confident that America can solve the problems now facing our country.
8. Millennials care only about what happens in their own country, community, and lives and not on what goes on in the rest of the world. False: Most Millennials have visited foreign countries and through social networking technology, are connected to friends around the world. They are open to working with people in other countries to solve the problems of the world community. Millennials are far more likely than older generations to support free trade agreements like NAFTA (61% vs. 40%) and far less likely to believe in military solutions to international concerns (39% vs. 58%). Millennials are also about three times more likely than seniors to have opinions on major international concerns like Israeli/Palestinian relations.
9. Millennials, like all generations, are rebels who are hostile to civic institutions and government. False: Millennials have significantly more positive attitudes toward government and its activities than older Americans. Millennials are much less likely to believe that if the government runs something, it is usually wasteful and inefficient (42% vs. 61%) or that the federal government controls too much of our daily lives (48% vs. 56%). They are much more likely to feel that government is run for the benefit of all (60% vs. 46%).
10. Millennials are more focused on trivialities such as celebrities than on the big issues facing America. False: Unlike some previous generations, Millennial celebrities and musical tastes are more acceptable to and compatible with their parents’ values because they reflect the generation’s love of teamwork and service to the community rather than rebellion. For example, a recent Pew survey indicates that rock music is the preferred genre of Millennials, Gen-Xers, and Boomers. Rock, the music of rebellion in the 1950s and 1960s, is now mainstream. Moreover even as early as 2006, two years before Barack Obama’s candidacy, more than twice as many Millennials had voted for president than had voted on American Idol.
Morley Winograd and Michael D. Hais are co-authors of Millennial Makeover: MySpace, YouTube, and the Future of American Politics published by Rutgers University Press.
Comments
5 responses to “Millenial Generation Myths”
Interesting article which makes no reference to the source of the 10 “Myths” provided. Additionally, the authors provide a single reference source for the data provided – CIRCLE.
CIRCLE is the Center for Information on Civic Learning and Engagement, was founded in 2001 with a generous grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts and is now also funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Ford Foundation, the Spencer Foundation, and several others. It is based at the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts University.
CIRCLS’s research seems to come from Census data and Surveys within the academic community. Civics and Civic Education is defined within the context of community activism. Also, an examination of the Advisers demonstrates a solid foundation within the academic community encouraging Alinsky-style ‘activism.’
I had a general impression from the Myths and statements in the “Millennial” article that the 18 – 29 cohort studied is requesting praise for their activism. Whereas, I question that cohort’s study and understanding of our Founders’ writings, the Constitution, and the evolving role of Government in the last (and current) century.
Throughout the CIRCLE web site there is a concerted effort to disregard and demean the working (not college-attending) component of the 18 – 25 demographic.
Much of this article is anecdotal and an examination of the statistical methodology and interpretation by CIRCLE does not meet statistical standards. I particularly object to Statement number 5 as it is a silly generalization. My personal life experience is opposite; and, my observation of family, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances demonstrates that statement is an inappropriate generalization.
“My son is 22 years old. If he had not become a Communist at 22, I would have disowned him. If he is still a Communist at 30, I will do it then.” – Georges Clemenceau
And I mean wow, I cannot believe that any institution with the slightest bit of intellectual honesty would publish such specious piece of analysis. If this were a college thesis, strike that, a middle school thesis it would have received an “F”, because of its dubious, if not disingenuous sourcing.
Only two sources are mention in Ms. Winograd and Mr. Hais’ piece; Myth 7 quotes the Pew Research Center and Myth 6 quotes a group called CIRCLE. But these references are vague, not directly citing an individual study. The best the sourcing claims is that somewhere in the ocean of research that these groups do lays the statistic to back their claim.
At least this dynamic duo took the time to at least source those to instances, considering that they make 14 statistical references without quoting the source.
Worse yet, a bit of research reveals many of CIRCLE’s research piece contradict the assertions in this piece. One such example is the group’s 2006 study on youth participation in politics and communities: http://www.civicyouth.org/PopUps/2006_CPHS_Report_update.pdf.
In the major findings section, under the subhead “Young people have lost confidence in government,” the study claims that “Two thirds of young people believe that government should do more to solve
problems, but a plurality says that the government is “almost always wasteful and inefficient.” This represents a big drop in confidence since 2002.”
It further states that:
“Young people, no matter which political party they identify with, are more likely to say that government is almost always wasteful and inefficient today than in 2002. Changes in this view have been greatest among Democrats and Independents, and smallest among Republicans.”
How does this exactly jive with Ms. Winograd and Mr. Hais’ assertion in Myth 9 that: “Millennials are much less likely to believe that if the government runs something, it is usually wasteful and inefficient…”
If Ms. Winograd and Mr. Hais got this information from CIRCLE, than they are disingenuously representing it in their analysis. If it is from some other study, than they are at fault again for not sourcing their facts.
The most disconcerting aspect at this pseudo-analysis is it seems to be advocating an agenda, instead of investigating a trend. Too boot, this is the second time these to have produced questionable research for New Geography.
Whether intellectual laziness or an underlying agenda is at the quick of these reports is besides the point. The matter is, does the New Geography want to build its brand on solid and rigorous scholarship (a rarity today) or is it happy to be another sheep in the herd, allowing half-thoughts and opinion to masquerade as research and analysis?
My hope is New Geography takes the high road.
People often change their views after they have life experiences.
People often change their views after they become parents.
Sincerely,
Ken Stremsky
Every 10 years, some old fart Boomer proclaims how wonderful the next generation will be. The arguments usually read like a defense of what Boomers want to like about themselves. Now it’s time to heap unearned praise on Millenials.
They’re civic minded? Perhaps true on an anecdotal level. But all empirical data I’ve seen says Americans have been steadily declining in this aspect for the past 50 years. The data cited overlooks the fact that AmeriCorps has been paying “volunteers” since 1993. Find another metric.
They’re serious liberals? I agree that this generation leans more to the left. But partisan identification is steadily declining. Yes, young people are more likely to be Democrats. Partisanship is less & less sticky. Youngsters are a lot less likely to stay engaged with partisan politics. There is NO guarantee that they will stay more liberal. Just after 9/11, the data said young people were trending right.
BTW, LOL @ comparing the open 2008 election, to the 1996 election. Young people always lean Democratic, and there was no Democratic Primary in 1996. In 2008, both parties had a Primary. Of course it brought a higher turnout.
I’m barely old enough to remember how the Boomers treated Gen-X. They supposedly so desperately wanted to be just like the Boomers. We got this nonsense when the Rolling Stones went on tour, when they voted for Bill Clinton, when they ironically enjoyed Leave it to Beaver on TV Land & when they stopped attending church.
Look, I’m sure there’s a lot of nice things about the latest generation of youngsters. Let’s wait until they define themselves before we begin writing their legacy.