Unfortunately in today’s society, we suffer from an epidemic known as the generational gap. Essentially, this signifies the recurring misunderstanding, hostility, and general distrust that older generations in America have, such as the baby boomers, for the young, up-and-coming generation Y. This tense conflict has resulted in many stereotypes formed about our generation, including laziness and entitlement. In her Business Insider article, writer Vivian Giang contends that our overreliance on technology has resulted in two epidemics that plague millenials: a lack of interpersonal “soft” skills, and a desire to climb the corporate ladder as soon as possible even if we lack the necessary experience for jobs in higher rungs. However, I assert
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In fact, according to an Empowermental McNair study, 42% of Generation Y employers were willing to hire people with special needs, compared to a meager 16% of Baby Boomer employers. Moreover, a Pew Research Institute study shows we are more comfortable with colleagues who are gay, interracial, and single parents. So when Giang explains that the millenials overuse technology, she is spot on. However to say that results in a lack of “soft” interpersonal skills is misguided and lacking concrete evidence. Our generation has shown time and time again, that we are increasingly more tolerant of others’ backgrounds and are willing to work in an employment setting and listen to those who might not fit the cultural norms our society has. Conversely, it is the older generations such as the baby boomers that need to learn and educate themselves on how to tolerate, listen to, and collaborate with employees unlike …show more content…
The two are suredly not mutually exclusive. Many generation Y individuals today still look up to and admire their bosses, respecting the final word. We simply do not want to dedicate our lives to a certain profession to find out we have no power, control, or say in any of the work we put in. Writer Susan M. Heathfield of humanresources.about.com argues that Generation Y lacks respect for elders in the workplace and are disobedient. She states that Generation Y believes “[they] are smart and [always] have the answer,” citing a case study in which an older employee reported age discrimination because of disrespect on behalf of younger colleagues. but Heathfield then notes that this employee “was used to automatic respect and trust from [generation Y].” Based on this, it seems that it isn’t so much Generation Y having an issue respecting authority, but rather older generations such as the baby boomers realizing that they cannot treat younger co-workers as children. This older employee needed to comprehend that despite a huge age difference, in an employment setting your co-workers should have a say in how a project is run. While it is true that often more experienced workers have more wisdom, this does not justify the treatment of millenials as your children in the work
In fact, according to an Empowermental McNair study, 42% of Generation Y employers were willing to hire people with special needs, compared to a meager 16% of Baby Boomer employers. Moreover, a Pew Research Institute study shows we are more comfortable with colleagues who are gay, interracial, and single parents. So when Giang explains that the millenials overuse technology, she is spot on. However to say that results in a lack of “soft” interpersonal skills is misguided and lacking concrete evidence. Our generation has shown time and time again, that we are increasingly more tolerant of others’ backgrounds and are willing to work in an employment setting and listen to those who might not fit the cultural norms our society has. Conversely, it is the older generations such as the baby boomers that need to learn and educate themselves on how to tolerate, listen to, and collaborate with employees unlike …show more content…
The two are suredly not mutually exclusive. Many generation Y individuals today still look up to and admire their bosses, respecting the final word. We simply do not want to dedicate our lives to a certain profession to find out we have no power, control, or say in any of the work we put in. Writer Susan M. Heathfield of humanresources.about.com argues that Generation Y lacks respect for elders in the workplace and are disobedient. She states that Generation Y believes “[they] are smart and [always] have the answer,” citing a case study in which an older employee reported age discrimination because of disrespect on behalf of younger colleagues. but Heathfield then notes that this employee “was used to automatic respect and trust from [generation Y].” Based on this, it seems that it isn’t so much Generation Y having an issue respecting authority, but rather older generations such as the baby boomers realizing that they cannot treat younger co-workers as children. This older employee needed to comprehend that despite a huge age difference, in an employment setting your co-workers should have a say in how a project is run. While it is true that often more experienced workers have more wisdom, this does not justify the treatment of millenials as your children in the work