At 35, I’m considered to be part of Generation X, the one that comes right after the Baby Boomers. The latter believed they would stay at the same company until they retired; respected the chain of command; and sacrificed family time for overtime to provide food on the table, clothing on our backs, and a roof over our heads. My generation isn’t afraid to try different careers, has trouble with authority, and works to live instead of lives to work. I thought this was the way things should be…but then came along Generation Y.
I’ve been a bit baffled about the way this new generation thinks. I was raised to believe that if I wanted anything in life, I would have to work hard for it. The Y people believe that if they’re going to work hard for anything, it has to be worth their while. For the past few years, I’ve wondered where they get this HUGE SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT. I mean if I had to work hard to get anywhere in life, why the hell shouldn’t they? I realized I was being unfair. With the world in the state it’s in: overpopulated, overheated, polluted, raped, and pillaged, they should feel like they’re entitled to whatever good things are left in their lifetimes.
Cynical GenXer that I can be…I now have HOPE for Generation Z and their children.
