Just What is Generation Y?
Sociologists do this by looking at the major social and behavioral trends that were happening during the formative years of the lives of the people in the generation.
Generation Y (also called Gen Y) is the generation of young adults born between the mid-1970′s through 1990 (though sometimes it’s extended through 1996 in research). This generation grew up with the development of the modern day computer, the internet, and most importantly social media. Generation Y therefore encompasses nearly all young Americans alive today.
Gen Y’ers, Social and New Media are the innovation of our generation. Almost all Gen Y’ers–especially those of us born in the late 80′s, have multiple social networks subscriptions. Facebook, Twitter, and Blogs are our versions of the printing press. We use them quickly, efficiently, and for free to disseminate research, news, gossip, and our personal feelings.
Researchers predict that sometime in 2010, there will be more members of Facebook than citizens of the United States. That’s over 300 million people, “throwing sheep” at each other or “posting gifts” on their sweetheart’s Facebook accounts this Valentine’s Day. And for the most part, only Gen Y knows how it works.
Gen Y’ers grew up with different ideals than our parents. Our first ‘defining’ national trauma was 9/11, and we’ve only gotten to know three Presidents: Clinton, Bush, and Obama (most of us were too young to remember much about Reagan or Bush Sr.). For the most part, Gen Y’ers support cultural diversity and tolerance, open communication, and social justice and entrepreneurship.
Gen Y’ers grew up with different ideals than our parents. Our first ‘defining’ national trauma was 9/11, and we’ve only gotten to know three Presidents: Clinton, Bush, and Obama (most of us were too young to remember much about Reagan or Bush Sr.). For the most part, Gen Y’ers support cultural diversity and tolerance, open communication, and social justice and entrepreneurship.
A good example of a Gen Y company is Google. Google’s mission statement reads, “to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful”. (google.com) Almost all of Google’s products have scalable and reliable free or open source versions. This reflects the nature of Gen Y’s business culture: collaboration and open communication.
Another significant difference about Gen Y is our commitment to the public and social service. Between 2006 and 2009, nearly 1 in 5 of my most academically qualified and charismatic friends from college graduate with a Bachelors of Social Work. That alone speaks volumes about the practically-focused ideals of Gen Y’ers.
Between 2004 and 2008, according to TIME Magazine, youth participation in the political process tripled (Click here for Citation).
Many politicos (including myself) believe Generation Y won the presidential election for Barack Obama in 2008. Many also believe that in 2010, Gen Y will vote out the Democrats from Congress if they are dissatisfied with the message of “Change We Can Believe In” Obama campaigned on.
Between 2004 and 2008, according to TIME Magazine, youth participation in the political process tripled (Click here for Citation).
Many politicos (including myself) believe Generation Y won the presidential election for Barack Obama in 2008. Many also believe that in 2010, Gen Y will vote out the Democrats from Congress if they are dissatisfied with the message of “Change We Can Believe In” Obama campaigned on.
In short, Generation Y is the upcoming generation of leaders and professionals of the coming three decades. Their defining value sets as a generation include focus on providing opportunities to others to excel, and the need for greater cooperation and “socially-responsible” institutions. They are best characterized as frontier-explorers of the coming “Net Age”, where the internet will be supreme as a mode of communication and sharing of information. Gen Y’ers are more politically aware and active than previous generations, and largely committed to practically promoting the attainment of their ideals both in the political arena and the workplace.
To me, and many in my generation, we will be the “fixers” of today’s world problems, as well as the best chance the world’s had yet to achieving world peace.
For more reading on Generation Y:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_Y
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-generation-y.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2005-11-06-gen-y_x.htm
Today, there are (mainly) four generations of Americans alive:
Generation Y
