Generation why?
Is our generation more self-centered than earlier generations? To really answer this question we have to ask ourselves, what do you want at the end of the day? Your answer to this question can determine what kind of person you are.
I believe we will be the downfall, because we’re not interested in helping others.
— Courtney Hodgson, senior
Before we can really understand our generation, we have to look back at one of the greatest generations, the GI Generation. One of the most courageous times American people went through The Great Depression and WWII. Through these hard times, America was able to form a generation of hard working and happy people. They made sacrifices for a greater cause and used strong work ethic to get what they wanted. According to the Reason-Rupe poll, 65% of Americans believe that our generation, the millennials, are entitled or believe that we think we are inherently deserving of privilege or special treatment. On top of that, we agree– the poll reports 58% of millennials labeled themselves as entitled, as well!
I find it rather difficult to believe that our generation works hard to get what we want. Many of us are getting handed everything from our parents. This idea of being entitled to everything has put a damper on our work ethic. “People are lazy, and they don’t really do anything for the community,” said sophomore Josie Richardson.
For the first time in history, our parents worry that we won’t be better off than them. ”It’s baffling for me to understand the change in the younger generation. A majority of kids don’t want to work hard,” said NPHS librarian Patty Birch. Why is this concern not only stemming from an adult’s point of view, but from millennials ourselves? If we can acknowledge the fact that there is a issue, then why are we not doing anything about it? This concern can be felt throughout the school.
Seeing kids in the hallways and hearing the chatter, I pick up on a lot of back and forth about wanting things or complaining about how life sucks. We grow up thinking we need nice things to make us feel complete: luxurious cars, extravagant houses, expensive foods, the materialistic list could go on and on. “We expect a lot, and we don’t really put in the work to deserve what we earn,” senior Brian Kennedy said. We compare ourselves in the eyes of others. We treat life like it’s a big game, and whoever has the latest and greatest pieces wins.
In today’s age, people never look at the big picture. We take our daily lives and never really apply it to how our impact could improve the world. We have the potential, now we just need to launch it forward. “Our generation has the power to make a bigger change than we are making, but we’re not putting forth the effort to do so,” senior Angela Twidwell. Our end goals are motivated by what benefits us personally. In many cases there are no regards to the needs of others, or benefiting the world as a whole.
As we move forward into the future, I ask that we, as a generation, do great things. We have to pick up the pieces our parents have left us, and try to make the world a better place. Take a step back and evaluate what you stand for. Try to do things that not just benefit you, but benefit the world around you.
