Filed Wednesday, May 28. 2008
Why are we still trying to stereotype everyone into a group composite based on their age? “ 60 Minutes” on CBS recently ran a segment on “millennials” in the job market. CBS said:
There are about 80 million of them – born between 1980 and 1995 – and they’re rapidly taking over from the baby boomers who are now pushing 60. They were raised by doting parents who told them they are special [and] played in little leagues with no winners or losers (or all winners). They are laden with trophies just for participating and they think your business-as-usual ethic is for the birds. Is it the future? The “ 60 Minutes” segment focused on the young and pampered “Muffy” and “Biff” types who were coddled and given an education where “no one fails” and “everyone is a winner”. Now they’re entering the work force and their self-centered demands have to be met. Or do they? Here are some comments after the presentation at the CBS Web site: Watching this presentation was a very telling example of what I call the “new upside-down world”. It exposes but one of the classic results of pansy, feel-good parenting. [This has] totally run amuck. [It] has resulted in the cultivation of a narcissistic generation and the characteristic disorder of those having an inflated idea of their own importance. Here’s more: I watched the piece … wondering what planet these youngsters were from. No wonder American firms are moving their jobs overseas. If this is the best our future workers have to offer, … all the jobs will have gone overseas. These kids will be scratching their smart [sic] wondering what went wrong! Is it a wonder that American business has gone outside the U S to find workers who are motivated and grateful for work as opposed to self-centered, spoiled and undeserving American brats? The work ethic of young America is abysmal! These are typical reactions by those who have been in the work force for a couple decades. They have been through layoffs, a recession or two, a missed promotion and perhaps even on the wrong side of a corporate merger. Stereotyping any generation is wrong. Would it be accurate to stereotype everyone who grew up during the Depression as “Bonnie” and “Clyde” types? Growing up back then, you probably were a bootlegger or a bank robber. You idolized Capone and Dillinger. Sorry. That’s stereotyping that generation. It’s funny that they had their share of deadbeats and criminals yet they also sacrificed and banded together to fight and win the biggest war of the century. Everyone’s Not a Muffy or Biff It was even more encouraging to read some comments from young people who had more to say about the CBS generalizations and inaccuracies: Disappointed and angry are the [two] comments that came to mind during this segment. This was completely frivolous journalism. I am disgusted that “60 Minutes” would corrupt [its] integrity with vast generalizations, ageism and pampered so-called “specialists”. I am 25 years old. I work and make my own way in the world. [I] work … hard to do it. I am embarrassed that this is the best of what “60 Minutes” can do to represent and grossly misrepresent my generation! Here’s more: I think this was an absolutely ridiculous story. I am a 23-year-old college graduate working a full-time job. I would never dream of rolling into work at noon. I could wear flip-flops to work but I don’t. I value hard work and understand that teamwork and good communications skills are all essential keys in getting ahead in the work force. Active duty. Express lane to adulthood. No coddling at boot camp. Try enlisting at 17 before high school graduation and coming back in September to start your freshman year at college. Try committing six years in the U.S. Army Reserve or the U.S. National Guard. That was a positive life experience. Anyone serving today is getting a lot more education about life and values than someone sitting in a classroom or playing “ Grand Theft Auto” in the basement of their parents. Dorks Are in Every Age Group Not everyone in the great generation was great. They had their share of slackers and misfits as did the baby boomer group. What every young millennial has to realize is that there were also a lot of great talent and leaders in those other generations as well. Learn from them and their accomplishments. Here’s a more accurate comment on today’s job market: Unfortunately what I’m seeing at my company is they are not hiring young people at all. [They’re] only hiring offshore for the entry level. I’ve seen this at other companies, too. [With] all the hype about the millennials, they are just not hiring them for skilled positions. It appears the foreigners are cheaper, more subservient and self-abased. Wake up, millennials! You have to compete with the “globalites”. Those are the people coming in on L-1 and H-1B visas. They are hungry, skilled and will work for less than you. Contrary to the pseudo experts, there is no room for pampered prima donnas in the work force. Think twice before emulating Muffy and Biff. You will be passed over for Punjab, Sumatra and Tin Chang. Carlinism: Be the best or get passed up by the rest. Last modified on 2008-08-28 06:11
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