He thinks of them as different because they are “more diverse then their parents’ generation,” and grow up already separated from the institutions that were so important to the prior century, which were “the church, government, [and] media” (Lightman A1). However, Lightman believes the millennials are so difference when compared to prior generations is because of their nonjudgementalism. I trait that was caused by “the rise of electronic communities…that allows for those that would have been outliers in the past” to now be free to voice their opinions without fear of ridicule (Lightman A1-A2).
Lightman believes that it is the mindset of the millennials that actually sets them apart and makes them unlike prior generations. He explains this is because millennials have “never known a world where intolerance is routinely tolerated” and is clearly shown by the “defining changes” that have been supported by the millennials (Lightman A2). Such changes include the support for the redefinition of marriage, the removal of the confederate flag in South Carolina, and the growing support for immigration reform (Lightman