"Generation Me" warped by profound sense of entitlement

Jeanwah

http://www.salon.com/2013/05/02/study_m ... s_partner/

Are millennials delusional?
New research suggests that members of "Generation Me" are warped by a profound sense of entitlement

Young people coming of age over the past decade or so have been referred to as Millennials, or, in a nod to their individualistic nature, Generation Me. Newly published research suggests they could also be called the generation with unrealistic expectations.

An analysis of the values and ambitions of American 12th graders finds “a growing discrepancy between the desire for material rewards and the willingness to do the work usually required to earn them.” Psychologists Jean Twenge of San Diego State University and Tim Kasser of Knox College report that, for high school seniors in 2005, 2006, and 2007, materialism remained at historically high levels, even as commitment to hard work declined.

This suggests that “entitlement—the idea that one deserves things without working for them—may have increased,” they write in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.

Twenty-five percent of Boomers admitted that “not wanting to work hard” might prevent them from getting a desired job. Among the Millennials, that number increased to 39 percent.
Twenge and Kasser analyzed data from the Monitoring the Future survey, which has tracked the views of a representative sample of 17- and 18-year-old Americans since 1976. They compared the answers to key questions given by high school seniors in 2005-2007 to those provided by previous generations.

To measure materialism, the youngsters were asked to rate on a one-to-four (“not important” to “extremely important”) scale how vital they felt it was to own certain expensive items: “a new car every two to three years,” “a house of my own (instead of an apartment or condominium),” “a vacation house,” and “a motor-powered recreational vehicle.” They were also asked straightforwardly how important they felt it was to “have a lot of money.”

To measure their attitudes toward work, the seniors rated on a one-to-five scale the extent to which they agreed with a series of statements, including “I expect my work to be a very central part of my life,” and “I want to do my best in my job, even if this sometimes means working overtime.”

The researchers found a couple of disturbing trends.

“Materialism rose substantially from the mid-1970s through the late 1980s, peaking among members of Generation X,” they write. “Although materialism then declined slightly, youth in the late 2000s were still significantly more oriented toward materialistic values than were youth in the 1970s (Boomers).”

At the same time, “work centrality declined steadily between the mid-1970s and mid-2000s,” they add. Specifically, “the percentage who saw work as ‘a central part of life’ slide from three of four to less than two of three.”

Twenty-five percent of blossoming Boomers admitted that “not wanting to work hard” might prevent them from getting a desired job. Among the Millennials, that number increased to 39 percent. (These trends were consistent regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status.)

What’s the matter with kids today? “Youth raised during times of societal instability (e.g., unemployment) and disconnection (e.g., more unmarried parents) were especially likely to endorse materialistic values,” the researchers write. “Furthermore, when a larger percentage of the nation’s economy was oriented toward advertising messages, youth were also likely to prioritize materialistic aims.”

They note that, besides conveying the message that consumption equals happiness, advertising can promote a feeling of entitlement. Ads, they write, “suggest that people should be able to get what they want (the product), but rarely mention that they most likely must work hard and long hours to afford it.”

Damn you, Don Draper!

The study ends in 2007, and thus does not reflect the kids who came of age over the past five years. But as far as Twenge and Kasser are concerned, the prognosis is not good.

“Numerous social observers suggested that children (growing up in the current economic downturn) might reject materialistic values and return to frugality and thrift,” they note. “The current data argue against such predictions, given that the dislocation and insecurity wrought by high levels of unemployment and other economic woes are associated with higher levels of youth materialism later in life.”

So if anything, levels of materialism are heading still higher, even as work becomes harder to come by, and young people feel less inclined to enthusiastically pursue it. Perhaps we should call them the Frustration Generation.

Go Beavers

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see the report as suggesting a sense of entitlement. A decline in the number of people identifying work as central importance to their life only suggest a shift in values. Also this part :
"Twenty-five percent of Boomers admitted that “not wanting to work hard” might prevent them from getting a desired job. Among the Millennials, that number increased to 39 percent."

This doesn't say entitlement to me, it says they're more realistic than those in the past who thought they could still get a desired job while not wanting to work hard.

even flow - question mark

Let's see.....t.v. shows about children of rich people who do nothing except spend their parents money be role models for others.

New X-Boxes, Nintendos, Segas, coming out every two to three years and the children "needing" to have it and the parents buying it for them.

I don't remember more then two or three kids who got a drive to school when I was growing up. Now, the schools have line ups of suvs dropping kids off and picking them up.

What does any kid under 15 really need a cell phone for anyway?

And the list can go on and on and on...........But I don't know where they are coming from in this article. :?

Oh and self entitlement has been around as long as I've been on the planet and I'm sure way before that too. It just seems to have gotten worse.

Last-12-Exit

When I asked my 12 year old daughter if she felt entitled, she got mad that I interrupted her and her friend texting. Then she pulled the iPod earplugs out of her ears. Was forced to pause the movie she was watching. Looked right at me and said "what do you want, dad?"

Jeanwah

Go Beavers wrote:

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see the report as suggesting a sense of entitlement. A decline in the number of people identifying work as central importance to their life only suggest a shift in values. Also this part :
"Twenty-five percent of Boomers admitted that “not wanting to work hard” might prevent them from getting a desired job. Among the Millennials, that number increased to 39 percent."

This doesn't say entitlement to me, it says they're more realistic than those in the past who thought they could still get a desired job while not wanting to work hard.

Yeah, I was confused by that part as well. But there's clearly a lack of young people willing to do the grunt work necessary to get anywhere, overall, they feel that they should receive the perks of materialism and lofty job title without lifting much of a finger. And that's what the article is trying to get across. And the article isn't that strong, I've seen a lot of this personally with a lot of younger people in job roles, a sense of entitlement that comes from not having to work as teens, and being given much of what they want from parents. Life is a tough pill to swallow without doing things for yourself before going out into the real world.

Not to mention, in the age of the credit card now that you can get one as a college student (I couldn't in the late 80s), lots of younger people tend to think they have money when they don't. If I didn't have the money, I went without, but in the age of credit... The media has its responsibility as the article mentions, and of course, the mentality of "keeping up with the Joneses".

cp3iverson

I just don't like laziness. No matter what generation. I see more value in interning or studying rather than protesting in a park or expecting to land that job because you feel you're special.

Jason P

even flow - question mark wrote:

New X-Boxes, Nintendos, Segas, coming out every two to three years and the children "needing" to have it and the parents buying it for them.

It's been eight long years since the last generation of gaming systems came out. Er, I mean, how would I know that? :?

BinauralJam

Last-12-Exit wrote:

When I asked my 12 year old daughter if she felt entitled, she got mad that I interrupted her and her friend texting. Then she pulled the iPod earplugs out of her ears. Was forced to pause the movie she was watching. Looked right at me and said "what do you want, dad?"

grooveme

Yes, I think the disconnect is between not wanting to work hard, but still expecting plenty of money and material things. I see this attitude in the folks we interview and hire who are in their late 20's, early 30's

Go Beavers

grooveme wrote:

Yes, I think the disconnect is between not wanting to work hard, but still expecting plenty of money and material things. I see this attitude in the folks we interview and hire who are in their late 20's, early 30's

I see it in all age groups. Why do you think the lottery is so popular?

mikepegg44

Too Long didn't read

What is reading this thread going to do for me anyway :yawn:


I was at work one day, young kid, maybe 15 comes up to the desk I was at and complains that the wait is way too long, I asked him if he had to go to work, his exact response "man...jobs is fo fa**ots"...

I have no hope for this generation, but we can still change those kids in elementary school from becoming this.

81

i blame the .gov and all their entitlement programs

Go Beavers

mikepegg44 wrote:

Too Long didn't read

What is reading this thread going to do for me anyway :yawn:


I was at work one day, young kid, maybe 15 comes up to the desk I was at and complains that the wait is way too long, I asked him if he had to go to work, his exact response "man...jobs is fo fa**ots"...

I have no hope for this generation, but we can still change those kids in elementary school from becoming this.

Really, no hope? The younger generation is always better than the previous.

Jason P

Go Beavers wrote:

mikepegg44 wrote:

Too Long didn't read

What is reading this thread going to do for me anyway :yawn:


I was at work one day, young kid, maybe 15 comes up to the desk I was at and complains that the wait is way too long, I asked him if he had to go to work, his exact response "man...jobs is fo fa**ots"...

I have no hope for this generation, but we can still change those kids in elementary school from becoming this.

Really, no hope? The younger generation is always better than the previous.

School test scores don't seem to indicate so.

mikepegg44

Go Beavers wrote:

Really, no hope? The younger generation is always better than the previous.

none. The intelligence level of the kids i deal with is getting worse seemingly every day. No scientific evidence to back up the theory, just my opinion. They could prove me wrong, I just don't expect it

PJ_Soul

I figure that reality will eventually smack them in the face. You can't just go along like that, with a sense of entitlement and unrealistic expectations, without it eventually catching up to you. It might take a while, since their parents will be there to bail them out for a long time, but at some point their parents will either die or get sick of it, and at that point they will crash and burn.... which makes me chuckle.

PJ_Soul

cp3iverson wrote:

I just don't like laziness. No matter what generation. I see more value in interning or studying rather than protesting in a park or expecting to land that job because you feel you're special.

Just wanted to mention that protesting and working hard at a job are not mutually exclusive. Protest is still important, and shouldn't be underrated. People with jobs can do it too.

hedonist

I see it more and more too (not just the young 'uns and definitely not all of the young 'uns). It's an attitude that comes from...their parents? So-called celebrities celebrated for nothing? More than that?

I think it typically starts with the parents - those who want to be their children's friends first - forget what they need, get them what they want, even if over the top or unaffordable. It sort of goes hand-in-hand with the overall lack of courtesy - of awareness that (gasp!) other people live in this world. Being kind and polite for its own sake, not for getting something in return.

Not trying to get something for nothing (which is usually of no value in the end, anyway).

Just a bit ago, I was on the elevator at home to come back to work. It stops, three young ladies, maybe late teens, get on. One's phone is blaring some crappyass song and they're talking to eachother LOUDLY. Wouldn't even move so I could get off the elevator.

By the same token, I've met some of that generation who kick ASS. Great, smart, thoughtful kids. Those are the ones who will do well, as they understand that most everyone starts at the bottom and WORKS their way up, pays their dues. Learns humbleness along the way, and the exhilaration of buying something they love on their own dime.

PJ_Soul

hedonist wrote:

I see it more and more too (not just the young 'uns and definitely not all of the young 'uns). It's an attitude that comes from...their parents? So-called celebrities celebrated for nothing? More than that?

I think it typically starts with the parents - those who want to be their children's friends first - forget what they need, get them what they want, even if over the top or unaffordable. It sort of goes hand-in-hand with the overall lack of courtesy - of awareness that (gasp!) other people live in this world. Being kind and polite for its own sake, not for getting something in return.

Not trying to get something for nothing (which is usually of no value in the end, anyway).

Just a bit ago, I was on the elevator at home to come back to work. It stops, three young ladies, maybe late teens, get on. One's phone is blaring some crappyass song and they're talking to eachother LOUDLY. Wouldn't even move so I could get off the elevator.

By the same token, I've met some of that generation who kick ASS. Great, smart, thoughtful kids. Those are the ones who will do well, as they understand that most everyone starts at the bottom and WORKS their way up, pays their dues. Learns humbleness along the way, and the exhilaration of buying something they love on their own dime.

I definitely think it's the parents. I work at a university. I have to suffer the consequences of all this bad parenting everyday, and it's starting to drive me crazy. :crazy: I mean, really?? You want to reschedule your exam because you want to go to a concert?? And SERIOUSLY?! You think you should have gotten an A for something that is almost incoherent?? Oh, you'd like to just not do your assignments and write your finals for 100% of your grade, and you're getting MAD that you're not allowed to?! :fp: Fuck me, dealing with these kids is making me scared for the future. :fp:

brianlux

First let me see if I've got this straight- the generations over the last 100 years are:

G.I generation
Baby Boomers
Generation X
Millennials (aka "Generation Me")

though I've also seen this graph:

2000/2001-Present - New Silent Generation or Generation Z
1980-2000 - Millennials or Generation Y
1965-1979 - Generation X
1946-1964 - Baby Boom
1925-1945 - Silent Generation
1900-1924 - G.I. Generation

I asked my wife if she thought the generation X'ers (because she has a daughter in her mid 20's) were characterized by entitlement. She said, "Phffft-- ar you kidding?!" Meaning, DUH! Now don't get me wrong- my step daughter is beautiful, very bright and kind and sweet. Everything a parent could ask for. But entitled? Yep.

But who amongst us isn't, to some, degree entitled? My parent were born in the early 1920's. They lived through the Great Depression and WWII. When he was a kid, my father scrounged for scrap metal to earn a few odd pennies here and there and he helped my grandmother grow what little food they could scrape out of their small patch of ground. My mother's family picked and ate wild mustard greens form nearby fields and an occasional rabbit my grandfather hunted. Their hard work made my generation and each one following more comfortable than theirs or any in their past. My generation is responsible for the coming into being of the question, "Do you think money grows on trees?" (I heard that one a number of times growing up.)

I'm glad I've experienced some very tough times of being relatively poor because it gave me perspective and reason to be thankful but I would still say my generation and each one since is, generally speaking, characterized by entitlement.

PJ_Soul

Brian, I have been working with these university student for a long time, and trust me, there is a BIG difference between Gen X and the Millenials as far as entitlement goes. Like night and day.