Gen Y stereotypes are like...EPIC, right?
The term Gen Y is nothing more than a group of stereotypes to describe a specific age group. Like Gen X and Baby Boomer, it means absolutely nothing other than to describe when someone was born. Beyond that, it is worthless. In fact, one could argue that a Chinese placemat is more accurate than the stereotypes placed upon Gen Y.
Because of this, the idea that Gen Y is somehow responsible for the demise of an efficient and productive workplace is the creation of old people who are scared that they've become too ancient to function in the world. How's that for stereotypes?
Just take a look at these stereotypes attributed to Gen Y. The stereotypes below were based off the worst article ever written in Fortune magazine.
Stereotypes worth noting:
1. Shameless propensity for chatting up the boss - I have absolutely no idea where this came from nor do any of my friends that fall into the "Gen Y" category. Even though every generation has their fair share of butt kissers, one could legitimately argue there are more butt kissers in older generations who are more interested in promotions than doing a good job.
2. Ryan Seacrest, Carlton Banks, and Ferris Bueller are media icon to Gen Yers - To use the parlance of our times -- WTF? Ryan Seacrest is viewed by teeny boppers and baby boomers, the primary audience of American Idol. Carlton Banks was a character from a show that identifies with Gen Xers, not Gen Yers, and FERRIS BUELLER? My 40 year old uncle was in high school when this movie was in the theatre. This isn't to say that those at the forefront of Gen Ys generational period are not familiar with these people -- but icons? Ha!
3. Gen Yers are annoying - Every generation is filled with annoying people. Nearly 97% of every generation is annoying. Just look at this guy.
4. Gen Yers are ambitious - This is just total BS. How dare you call me ambitious.
5. Tattoos and Piercings - Perhaps Gen Y has more tattoos and piercings than other generations, though I'm not sure how this translates into negativity at the workplace. If it's the norm among an entire generation of people, than it shouldn't matter when old people retire to Del Boca Vista. Perhaps old people need to learn how to deal with "annoyances" that don't impact performance. Numerous and painful looking piercings and tattoos on your face are not the norm for any "generation" of people -- they are the norm for crazy people in every generation.
6. They don't wear watches - I'm not making this up. This has been brought up in other articles. Apparently, older generations believe a wrist watch symbolizes organization and responsibility. I guess they are unaware of the fact that cell phones have a clock. Then again, perhaps old people's Jitterbug cell phone is not equipped with a digital or analog clock.
7. Question everything - Last time I checked, a healthy dose of skepticism is what keeps Kansas from ruining the country.
8. Unwilling to work late nights - Can you believe this? A generation of people who may actually be at home for their children when and if they do have children? We should be OUTRAGED!
9. Unwilling to take a long commute - Can you believe this? An entire generation of people who want to conserve energy and believe spending two hours in their car is not worth any dollar amount? OUTRAGEOUS!
10. Live with their parents up until an old age - This is actually true. I see a lot of losers doing this. But whose fault is it? User or inhibitor? Point the finger back at yourself Baby Boomers.
11. Into technology (Blackberries, iPhones, iPods, laptops) - This is not a generational thing. Everyone has laptops, blackberries, iPhones, iPods...you name it. The only difference is that young people usually lead the way with the technology and others catch on. Youth cannot be included as a stereotype of a generation of people. Every generation was young at one point....I think.
12. Require work to be done in a team effort - Again, who is to blame for this? My entire childhood growing up, all we ever heard about was how far behind the United States was compared to Japan. The primary reason at the time -- Japan's employees collaborated, and worked as teams. As a result, my entire education was built around working in teams. Now the Baby Boomers don't like it. Sounds like the Baby Boomers continually made gigantic social engineering mistakes and they are unwilling to blame themselves. However, in this case, is there anyone to blame? Working in a team is far more interesting than working by yourself.
13. Require constant positive reenforcement - See what happens when you stop spanking kids? You earned a life time of positive reenforcement. Good job baby boomers! Unfortunately, this is only true of about 10% of Gen Yers I've met, which is likely right in line with every other generation of that has babies.
14. Unwilling to work long hours (60 hour weeks) - Can you believe there is an entire generation of people unwilling to work unpaid hours? There's just no passion anymore is there? Well, perhaps this new generation of employees saw how miserable their parents life was, realized they were a "latch key kid", and they are unwilling to even set an expectation that working more than 40 hours is acceptable. People wanting to have a life outside of work is a step in the right direction, not the wrong.
15. Never learned how to struggle or sacrifice - This isn't true of Gen Y. This is true of all wealthy people in every generation. The 90s were a wealthy time. So, perhaps it is true that there are more trustifarians, but again, who is at fault? You got it. Baby Boomers. You old folk suck at parenting.
16. If they don't like something, they quit - Remember the good ol' days where people just repressed their anger and depression and live horrible lives or killed themselves? Boy those were good days.
17. They respond to money - And, apparently, previous generations only cared about the goats traded to them in exchange for their labor.
18. Thrive when given responsibility, disengaged if ignored - What a great stereotype to have bestowed upon us. If given a chance, we'll show you we're better than you. If not, we'll watch how stupid you are. How is this bad?
As you can see, only a very small percentage of the stereotypes directed at Gen Y are even remotely true. Of the stereotypes that may be true, it's an exaggeration, and typically Baby Boomers have no one to blame but themselves, which is likely why they shift the blame on to Gen Y.
Gen Y isn't a problem at the workplace. Neither is Gen X or the Baby Boomers. The fact is that 90% of people are a problem at the workplace, regardless of the year you were born. That is why we should all just get along. We should all take pride in the fact that we are all worthless, no matter our birthdate.
> Read James Hamilton's counterpoint
---
Follow Dudley via: Facebook | Twitter | MySpace | LinkedIn | Email | RSS
Read more Dudley: All stories | Most read stories | Seven Habits | Dear Dudley | Awkward Office Moments | Cubicle 101
or use the ShareThis option at the top of the article for more options.
Comments
Boomers for years have been bombarded by negative stereotypes -- selfish, refuse to grow up, self-absorbed, etc. -- by the so-called Greatest Generation, and the so-called Silent Generation. And during this time, the X and Y Generations have either remained silent or jumped on the abusing bandwagon. Well, after decades of this nonsense it appears the popular media is getting around to other generations.
But I agree with you, it's all, or mostly all, nonsense. There are much stronger forces at work then generational. Sure generational identity has some impact, but in our media this is grossly over-emphasized.
I do suggest, however, fight back. The Boomers did not and the abuse just grew and grew. Now most Americans actually believe that Boomers are immature, etc.
Boomers for years have been bombarded by negative stereotypes -- selfish, refuse to grow up, self-absorbed, etc. -- by the so-called Greatest Generation, and the so-called Silent Generation. And during this time, the X and Y Generations have either remained silent or jumped on the abusing bandwagon. Well, after decades of this nonsense it appears the popular media is getting around to other generations.
But I agree with you, it's all, or mostly all, nonsense. There are much stronger forces at work then generational. Sure generational identity has some impact, but in our media this is grossly over-emphasized.
I do suggest, however, fight back. The Boomers did not and the abuse just grew and grew. Now most Americans actually believe that Boomers are immature, etc.
Boomers for years have been bombarded by negative stereotypes -- selfish, refuse to grow up, self-absorbed, etc. -- by the so-called Greatest Generation, and the so-called Silent Generation. And during this time, the X and Y Generations have either remained silent or jumped on the abusing bandwagon. Well, after decades of this nonsense it appears the popular media is getting around to other generations.
But I agree with you, it's all, or mostly all, nonsense. There are much stronger forces at work then generational. Sure generational identity has some impact, but in our media this is grossly over-emphasized.
I do suggest, however, fight back. The Boomers did not and the abuse just grew and grew. Now most Americans actually believe that Boomers are immature, etc.
I'm 28 years old and I wear a watch.
Why?
Because I am usually too lazy to dig my Blackberry out of my pocket to check the time. Plus, it's quicker. Instantaneous satisfaction is another stereotype bestowed upon my generation, whatever you want to call my generation (millenials??)
Dawson's article is nothing more than a bunch of smart ass comments without a cogent argument to be found. My six year old could make a more compelling argument.
If Mr. Dawson is representative of "Gen Y", then I weep for the future as that generation moves into leadership positions in government, commerce, etc.
Stewart, I got you.
Stewart, I got you.
Stewart, I got you.
Was it really necessary to post the same comment three different times?
Dean - Wasn't "cogent" removed from the Funk & Wagnall's Dictionary back in '82?
Next time I'm looking to provide you with a persuasive argument on whether or not Gen Y is destroying corporate America, I'll be sure to be more cogent for you, Dean. Until then, I think I'll keep writing articles that people want to read.
Add defensive to the list of stereotypes. Dean makes a cogent comment and Dudley can't handle it. Too bad.
TurnFive - I was offensive, not defensive.
I'm tail-end boomer. Honestly, a lot of these are stereotypes that we had on entering the workforce. The technology, styles and stars have changed. But really not much else. As for the responses to each, we also were idealistic. No long hours, no long commutes, yup. That's great. Until you have a family to support. All of a sudden, it's not just you. Money gets to be important. So sucking up, long commutes, long hours, team-work turns into back-stabbing ladder-climbing. Actually, shoulder-climbing as you step on the guy below you.
And please, no lectures about boomers living beyond their means and not needing houses they couldn't afford and all the crap they bought. Look at the demo's. What generation was likely to buy a house they couldn't afford with a sub-prime no-doc alt-a mortgage? Most Boomers already had their houses with equity built up. Who buys all the ipods and toys they don't need? It wasn't just boomers.
Keep idealistic as long as you can. Life eventually takes over.
I'm 49, but I had to agree with Dawson. Every older generation falls into the trap of whining about the younger generation while ignoring their contributions. Personally, I'll hang with Gen Y because the future is about changing today for the better. Let the whiners try to eat their investments and lament working while they had a body meant for some fun.
Offensive? Defensive? Dudley, you were both. (I'm a psychologist, I recognize these things.)
I thought your article was entertaining, but I don't understand why you seemed to blame the boomers for raising Gen Y. Boomers raised Gen X. Gen X raised Gen Y. That's why it's called a generation.
Catwalker,
Though you may be a psychologist, you are doing much to prove you are also an idiot.
Generation X is a generation of people born from 1965 to 1976 (some say up to 1979).
Generation Y is for anyone born between 1980-mid 90s.
Though it is possible for a Gen X to give birth to a Gen Y, the bullseye, it is far more likely that a baby boomer gave birth to both Gen Xers and Gen Yers.
I don't know, perhaps you live south of the mason dixon line, but up where I live, people don't have children when they are 15 years old.
I am a Gen Y, and I have two brothers who are Gen X. They are 4 and 8 years older than I.
I suggest you take your psychology degree and shove it up your cornhole. While you're doing that, you can determine if I'm being offensive or defensive with my demands.
right on, dawson. I think that while under the barrel of a steaming gun of boomer shit, you really don't need real evidence to prove that we've inherited a tattered world and are getting blamed for trying to fix it.
good article. I loled
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!