The status quo of each time period shapes the definitive traits of each generation. From the drug epidemic of the 1980’s to the technological overload of today, despite how much we may like to think otherwise, every generation has had its own Achilles heel. Looking to today’s society, in particular, we are just starting to see the repercussions of the era of the internet on our youngest generation, one which Ms. Jean Twenge has dubbed iGen. In Ms. Twenge’s work, she impresses that smartphones are to blame for not only the rising rates of mental health disorders, but also iGen being developmentally behind their millennial counterparts were at their age. Upon examining her reasoning, however, as a member of iGen I feel that her portrayal of us
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Starting on a positive note, I agree that we are more individualistic than our predecessors. As society has advanced, we have grown to shift our focus from survival to personal growth. In turn, this allowed us to become more focused on our own ideologies, and less fixated on social conventions. We are now able to live in a world where we are likely to voice our opinions on matters dear to us. Not to mention, it is thanks to smartphones that we have information on any matter at our fingertips, and that we are able to formulate our opinions which differ from that of society. America has truly come a long way from the conformity of something like Hester Prynne’s society to that of today. Furthermore, I can proudly state our constant exposure to various ideologies via the internet is what has allowed us to be the tolerant and self-aware individuals Ms. Twenge makes iGen out to be. However, I do believe that Ms. Tweng was mistaken, in some regards, on her description of iGen. Looking to the rising rates of depression in teens, while this could be correlated with the use of smartphones, I disagree that this was causation. I believe that this rise in mental health issues stems from the facade of perfection that society endorses, but also that people are now more willing to come forward and seek help. We are now a generation who will break free from the stigma …show more content…
A prime example I’ve personally seen is when comparing my childhood, in which I would go play in the park with my friends almost everyday, with that of my sister who is now 6 years old and spends several waking hours online. Although there may be quite a few repercussions of our newfound dependence on technology, I believe that the qualities of tolerance, self-awareness, and the reduction of self destructive behaviors are a step in the right direction. I aspire for my innate tolerance of others, and desire for personal growth to not only allow me to grow academically at SDSU but also personally, into someone who can influence the traits of the generations
Starting on a positive note, I agree that we are more individualistic than our predecessors. As society has advanced, we have grown to shift our focus from survival to personal growth. In turn, this allowed us to become more focused on our own ideologies, and less fixated on social conventions. We are now able to live in a world where we are likely to voice our opinions on matters dear to us. Not to mention, it is thanks to smartphones that we have information on any matter at our fingertips, and that we are able to formulate our opinions which differ from that of society. America has truly come a long way from the conformity of something like Hester Prynne’s society to that of today. Furthermore, I can proudly state our constant exposure to various ideologies via the internet is what has allowed us to be the tolerant and self-aware individuals Ms. Twenge makes iGen out to be. However, I do believe that Ms. Tweng was mistaken, in some regards, on her description of iGen. Looking to the rising rates of depression in teens, while this could be correlated with the use of smartphones, I disagree that this was causation. I believe that this rise in mental health issues stems from the facade of perfection that society endorses, but also that people are now more willing to come forward and seek help. We are now a generation who will break free from the stigma …show more content…
A prime example I’ve personally seen is when comparing my childhood, in which I would go play in the park with my friends almost everyday, with that of my sister who is now 6 years old and spends several waking hours online. Although there may be quite a few repercussions of our newfound dependence on technology, I believe that the qualities of tolerance, self-awareness, and the reduction of self destructive behaviors are a step in the right direction. I aspire for my innate tolerance of others, and desire for personal growth to not only allow me to grow academically at SDSU but also personally, into someone who can influence the traits of the generations