Running head: MILLENNIALS

Millennials
Morgan Payne
St. Johns River State College

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Abstract

This paper explains the many arguments that the millennial generation presents. It explores three
different journal articles, each by an individual author, stating their opinions on what they
believe the millennial generation is doing for Americas society. Authors Joanna Chau (2012)
and David Bass (2011) believe that the millennial generation is hurting our society as a whole.
They state that they are only concerned about money, fame and power and all the actions they
take are only for self-benefit. On the contrary, author David Burstein (2013) states that this
generation is a group who cares about the wellbeing of others. He expresses that they are ready
for anything that comes because they are willing to work together to better the society. This
paper reveals the truth behind the millennial generation while taking each authors point of view
in to consideration.

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Millennials

The debate whether the millennial generation is a generation me or a generation we is

controversial among many groups. Millennials are defined as the group of young Americans
born after the 1980s. I strongly believe that this generation is highly focused on self-satisfaction
rather than the well-being of others. Todays generation of young adults are selfish.
Individualism is now the standard and all emphasis goes toward money, self-image and social
status. This generation of selfish young Americans does not think twice about others, the
environment or the future state of the country.
First off, many believe that this generation is considerate of others and their feelings. As
years have passed, children have become more aware of the less fortunate and do everything they
can to help. There are more volunteers and donations for charities now than ever before. This is a
generation of caring, loving and compassionate young men and women that will better our
society as a whole (Burstein, 2013).
In contradiction, I know that this generation is far from considerate. In this day in age, all
children are concerned about is when the next IPhone will come out or who has more followers
on Twitter. This is a generation is solely focused on self-benefit. They are taught to put their own
needs and happiness before others, so their minds are completely self-centered and there is no
room to even think about how their actions could affect someone else (Chau, 2012 ).
Secondly is the health of the environment. So many young men and women volunteer to
pick up trash and recycle old bottles. As the years have passed, more and more people are
becoming aware of environmental issues that are present and they immediately try to make
changes to better our world (Burstein, 2013).
In contrast, the health of the environment is at stake. There is no question about it and
there are even statistics to prove this. Three times more millennials than generations born before

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claimed that they take no initiative to exercise sustainability and only 51% say they make an
effort to conserve electricity compared to the 68% of previous generations. There is far more
proof just by looking around. Air and water pollution are huge problems but most of this
generation doesnt seem to care because it is not currently directly affecting their personal lives,
but soon it will (Chau, 2012).
Finally is the future of this great country. Authors such as David Burstein believe that this
generation is eager to make an economic change. They are ready to make a difference together
and create solutions to solve worldwide problems. Each day, hundreds of problems arise and it
will be up to this generation to face and fix these problems. Many millennials have been teaming
up in recent years to figure out solutions to these issues and when the time comes, they are ready
to take on anything that comes to them (Burstein, 2013).
On the contrary, this generation is nowhere near ready to face any type of problem, big or
small. It will most definitely be up to this generation to solve crises, but all their lives they have
been taught to think of themselves. What will change when problems arise? Nothing. Nobody
knows how to cooperate with others, they lack the ability to make decisions as a team and quite
frankly they are lazy. Many argue that when worldly issues are presented, panic will be the
outcome and complications will become even more detrimental to our nation (Bass, 2011).
In conclusion, I believe that this will be a never ending debate until the time comes when
the millennials prove my point wrong. As of now, nothing will change the corrupt minds of this
generation and self-absorbed mindsets will only become worse. The well-being of others, the
health of the environment and the future of this country are at a high risk of utter failure unless a
miracle happens.

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References

Bass, David N. (2011). The millennial generation lacks a strong work ethic. The Millennial
Generation. http://ic.galegroup.com.db23.linccweb.org/ic/ovic/Viewpoints
Burstein, David D. (2013). What happens when millennials come together. The Millennial Generation.
http://ic.galegroup.com.db23.linccweb.org/ic/ovic/Viewpoints
Chau, Joanna. (2012). Millennials are more 'generation me' than 'generation we' study
finds. Has Child Behavior Worsened. https://bbprod.sjrstate.edu/bbcswebdav/Millennials