MILLENNIALS
I recently caught up with a friend that I haven’t talked with for a long time, and what she told me about her daughter revealed how ignorant I am about the life of millennials who were born between 1981 -1996.

I learned her daughter has no interest in watching television, and absolutely no desire to hear or watch the news – “it’s too much”. Also, she intentionally did not to listen to or watch the recent debate.

While in a state of shock that her daughter does not view the world the same way that I do, I asked her to help me understand what’s in the head of her daughter and her friends. Here are some of her answers coupled with findings I was prompted to research:

She has no interest in having a TV and watching the regular channels; instead she uses her phone and other electronic devices to stream what she chooses to see. She is of child-bearing age but has no desire to bring a child into this world. She feels the system is rigged against her and things are closing in on her.

Rising cost of living, coupled with increases in rents plus other living expenses make it difficult for them to reach financial independence. They don’t see the possibility of affording a home. In addition, good job opportunities are shrinking.

They have been traumatized by the 2008 financial crisis and feel that the government helped the very rich and not those who are still struggling with debt, particularly from student loans. They do not trust any political leadership and feel that what politicians say is not the same as what they do, and they are very conscious of what they do. They have also been traumatized by the Covid pandemic.

They feel that things are closing in on them. They have constant concerns about safety. They are seeing increases in homelessness, crime, and unprovoked assaults. They are acutely aware of and fearful of growing misogynism, racism, antisemitism, and islamophobia.

Apart from economic stability, millennials are particularly concerned about mental health, racial equity, gender and LGBTQ+ rights, work/life balance and most importantly – climate change. And what do they really enjoy? Travel, culture, dining, sports, technology and networking. Have we of a certain age lived in a world of more freedom and optimism? Are millennials justified in feeling the way they do?