They (Millennials) have been raised in a world that is changing so fast that many of the "old" rules simply will not apply to them nor the solutions to classic problems. The world and the workplace and our social culture has changed in ways that have made the old tried and true solutions and ethics that have existed literally for thousands of years obsolete.
There are jobs for everyone (jobs galore) but many of them, most of them, don't pay a living wage....the cost of health care, homes, and needed accessories (like phones, cars, and laptops) in relationship to what people actually earn makes it impossible for some to get medical treatment, live in a decent place, or get transportation that helps them get a better job. Multi million dollar business and stock deals can be executed via a cell phone. Information flow and technology is reinventing it so fast that a really good plan is sometimes obsolete in seconds. The Media and our Politicians have been paid and are owned by people with more money and love of power over our lives than at any time in history - never have so few owned such a large part of the resources. Literally .01% own more than 90% below them. Add to this that America is in the midst of a Civil War (cold war so far) and it's no wonder they do not repond to the same stimulus nor follow the "old tried and true" which is now gone never to return.
Some Millenials are not gonna play by the old rules that are obsolete and not working for them. Some of them are gonna be very different from what we perceive as "normal" cause normal has shifted and will keep shifting now.
I'm 63 by the way.
VooDoo
I respectfully have to disagree. There are plenty of living wage jobs out there. But, they don't pay very well in the beginning, and most are unwilling to suck it up, and work their way up. They want it, and they want it now (lack of patience). They also want to be able to afford the luxuries of life from day one. Latest smart phone, latest clothes, latest year vehicle...and they believe it is okay to expect this (entitlement). Add to this, is their lack of empathy. COMPLETE lack of empathy. They think nothing of the YEARS it has taken people to work their way up to afford "the extras" (coincidentally referred to as "the necessities" by these Millennials). It's all "me", "my" and "mine" (narcissism), not "we" or "us".
Blaming politicians, the changing technology and social media is (in my mind) a cop out. This is all of our faults for allowing this bullshit to persist, or worse, rescuing our kids from themselves instead of letting them fail. I have two kids. The oldest was a handful...total Millennial attitude and a hot temper to go with it. Well, not unlike us in our day, he thought he knew better, and so out the door he went (he ended up with me after his mother, my ex, had had it). He's been on his own now for a couple of years and it's been interesting seeing how much he learned when he couldn't cajole, manipulate or game the system (amazing what happens when you miss a few meals, or get sick and tired of sleeping on someone's couch). Well, (thank God) the light bulb finally went fucking "click". He's doing better these days; not where I'd like to see him, but he's getting his head screwed on straight finally. My second, well, she is the quiet one. The proverbial anti-millennial. Is she still young and immature? Yep. But she's actually quite considerate, and thoughtful, which leads me to believe that just those two traits can go a long f'ing way in making life less hard. Course corrections with her have been much easier. No logic as to why one is one way, and the other is the other way. Just the way it is I suppose.
BLUF: Kids don't come with instructions, and each kid needs their own dose of reality, responsibility and support. Sometimes even if that "support" is the lack of it ("Fly monkeys, fly!"). There's almost always work available. It may not be the work you want, but its the work that's available. You take what you can get, and then leap frog from there. You never know, you may find an occupation you never considered, and find you are quite good at it, and someone is willing to pay handsomely for you to perform it.
This generation just lacks patience, empathy and is too wrapped up in themselves. I'm not a religious person, but I do find it ironic that most religions preach exactly what this generation is lacking. Perhaps there's a lesson there for people to ponder. Even if you aren't a "true believer", religion has it's place for our children, if for no other reason than to teach humility, empathy, patience and so on. I for one, despite not being a church goer or bible thumper, am damned sure glad my parents made it known "You will attend church every week until you leave this home. When you leave you are free to do as you wish, but until then you will attend." I don't attend church now, but am damned glad my parents made me do so when I was a child. I only wish my ex had done the same with my children. I think it would've saved everyone a lot of headaches...
