Gen Y Is Conservative

Says Brazen Careerist.

Set Up: I like the Brazen Careerist a lot. I read her and I learn from her.

But that doesn't mean I always agree with her. Today, for instance, she is trying to confuse me by claiming that Gen Y wants nothing more than stability.

Concession: Okay, she's said before that Boomers (the evil people) worked too hard, led hedonistic lives and ended up in Twelve-Step programs so their kids, who suffered through it with them, are against wild living.

Shot: But she's also said a thousand times that Gen Y doesn't stay at any job for very long. They like to move around.

Today we read, however, that they dislike ambiguity and risk. They want to be certain about expectations and career progression. Is there a contradiction here? Maybe?

Penelope also claims that they are not political activists like the boomers. Well, no one is an activist if he doesn't have a reason. And, the job market is good and Gen Y isn't being drafted.

So, that doesn't mean anything significant about their character. The boomers stopped being activists as soon as the draft ended, even though the Vietnam War was still going on.

Coda: Penelope argues that there are people who joined the American army for an education never expecting to go to war. Oh, please! She also says that the burdens put on the National Guard are like a general draft, as well. Okay, it's kind of life a general draft, only it isn't.

Reference: Brazen

Comments

[Scotty Williamson]

I like Penelope, but I often disagree with her. This post, to me, really flies in the face of what she's said previously. Which if you read her long enough is about right. In the real world you can't have it both ways.

So who is Gen Y? I'm not sure she knows.

[Rosie]

I just read a news article the other day about a kid who was discharged from the army because of religious beliefs.. He apparently had a problem with killing his enemies. I was surprised because I wondered what he thought would happen when he enlisted? So as ridiculous as it might be, maybe there are folks who believe that they aren't going to war when they join the army.

@Scotty... I don't think anyone knows. I think for the most part making a lot of generalizations is really unfair. Saying Gen Y is... Gen Y isn't... doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me because it's a group of individuals (like every generation)... Individuals with their own thoughts, aspirations, values, etc. I don't know if it's as simple as a generalization. I could be wrong.

[Scotty Williamson]

Rosie -I think you're probably right that no one knows who Gen Y is. I just get tired of reading that they are this or that. The reality is probably like you say, they're all different and most are still at an age where they're trying to figure it all out. Just as we all did at that age.