MILLENNIALS

Nancy Truesdell, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students for Lawrence University spoke to the club about the Millennial generation.  First she informed the club about the different Labels and Stereotypes.  If you were born between the years of 1925-1942 you are in the Silent Generation, 1943-1960 you are known as the Baby Boomers, 1961-1981 Generation Xers and 1982-2002 as the Millennials.  The basic trends that define Millennial generation are balancing the need for openness with the desire to keep young people (and the nation) safe. One example she spoke to us about was baby Jessica and how we watched every second of her escape from the well on TV.  Politically, these millennials have grown up seeing what they have determined to be ineffective government.  An example of this would be the relations between President Clinton and Monica Lewinsky and the possible impeachment. The political views have become more polarized at the expense of the middle.  There are fewer people in the middle which becomes an issue to get along with others.  Moving on to trends one of the largest with Millennials is technology.  They believe it is an extension of their arm.  This generation simply cannot live without it.  Another one of the biggest trends is increased parental involvement in children’s lives and closeness in family unit.  If you would ask a Baby boomer who their hero is they would most likely say a political figure.  If you ask Millennials they would say a parent, both parents and even a grandparent.  Nancy talked about defining characteristics of millennial students.  She started off with SPECIAL.  Boomer adults have been telling these millennials all their lives that they are special.  They want the millennials to feel good about themselves.  Another characteristic is sheltered/protected.  There are child safety rules - post Columbine, World of zero tolerance, parents have been organizing their children’s lives to give direction and millennials have come to rely on and trust authority.  Millennials are driven/achievement oriented.  They want to achieve quickly and move forward.  They have a general sense of optimism.  They believe they will do well and they expect themselves to do well.  They respect rules and are conventional.  They do not rebel against authority.  They are team oriented and want to get along and work together.  Millennials like to congregate as groups.  Being a member of a team takes some of the pressure off of the individual.  Also, if they encounter difficult people in their group, they are uncomfortable and want those in authority to handle it and make it right.  Millennials want to be sure that structure is enforced so they can count on the fact that compliance will be rewarded.  They have been pushed to be the best they can be and the need to please is strong, which perfectionism is sometimes the result.