Gen Next: Millenial Generation

They got things long before their parents did. Now, GenNext takes to giving

Shalini Rawla

You only live once – the mantra of the millennial generation (born circa 1990) is nothing but the result of helicopter parenting. Parents of this generation (born in the 1970s) chose to break down the traditional structure of parents-as-authority to parents-as-friends. They encouraged their children to share everything with them – their problems at work or in relationships. They even helped them do their homework and projects in school, and networked with their peers to get them an internship or a job in a good company. The new wave of social media stoked this discover-and-share attitude further. Brought up as trophy kids, this generation got an early exposure to all those things that their parents had to wait for, and perhaps earn – be it a hobby class, summer camp, their first mobile, laptop, a trip abroad, or even their first bike or car. Everything became a new experience for the millennials. For the parents, feeding their kids with every new experience almost became an obsession. As this was a sterling manifestation of their own achievements – of leading a good life shorn of any unfulfilled needs and of being exemplary parents – something that their own parents could never manage. Little realizing that the millennials do not measure success by their yardsticks. The millennials think of life as one big experience broken down into several small experiments, good or bad. The width of experiences is more important than any depth in one. That is why HR professionals consider this generation their bane, as a majority of this new work force expects their employers to ‘tell me how to do it’ rather than figuring it out themselves – a sad outcome of helicopter parenting. Not to mention the number of jobs they change resulting in thumbnail careers. They are not commitment-phobes. They are experience junkies. And indeed the experiences sit unapologetically on their resumes. Unlike their parents, a job is not the end, but a means to an end for a new experience, till they find their calling. Their professional flightiness is nothing more than translating this vision in a time where pleasure determines professional accomplishment, knowing how to link opportunities with passionate work – a realization that donned on their parents late in their careers. The millennials also do not want a job that consumes them. They believe more in a life-work balance than the work-life balance of their parents. In that sense, this generation displays a greater depth of maturity which may not be evident just yet, but the sparks are showing already. The millennials also believe in the power of networking and of working in a team, as they realize that no one can effect change single-handedly. The angry young man has given way to the peaceful group activist – evident in the umpteen protest rallies they have already participated in. Millennials share generously – be it information, money, or their time. Most of them have voluntarily opted for serving the underprivileged without anybody’s influence. They are ethical and hate cheaters – be they politicians, corporates or celebrities. Their mantra is: Earn now. Spend now. Experience now. Think about the future in future, not now. Live the moment. For you only live once. Shalini Rawla is managing consultant with The Key Consumer

Published Date:  Apr 20, 2013