Hi all, I'm a member of the young generation. You know, "Generation Y/Millenials"....
I won't pretend that I can speak for a whole generation (who can?), but I will share some observations that I personally have about my generation (very generally).
We have grown up with more information and technology than we know what to do with. Social media, the Internet, smart phones-the list goes on. This has been a blessing in some ways, a problematic and complicating issue for a lot of people in other ways. It is a blessing, because we can connect with so many people and so many bits of information, far more and far quicker than previous generations could. However, I and many others do wonder what the long-term effects of information overload are on self-reflection, critical thinking, and on our brains in general.
As far as politics goes: while I do think it is accurate to say that on many so-called "social" or "cultural" issues, my generation is quite a bit more liberal on average, many of us also don't feel particularly emotionally attached to programs like Social Security or Medicare. I've noticed that many in my generation don't really seem to get the importance of those aforementioned programs, and why they are under assault by certain organized and corporate interests. Some do, though, don't get me wrong...
A big issue for many in my generation is student loan debt, which, as most of you know, has skyrocketed to astronomical levels. Many of us also are increasingly alienated from organized religion, a development that is connected with the Millienials' more open-minded views on gay marriage, marijuana, and other so-called "cultural" issues.
I think a lot of us are apathetic or cynical about possibilities for change, but a lot of us are idealistic and hopeful as well. Many in my generation are quite active in a lot of volunteer and service-oriented work and programs. Hands-on tasks for "doers," as it were. However, there are a fair number of people in my generation who are, to one extent or another, disengaged with politics and social movements, maybe a larger percentage than previous generations, but I'm not entirely sure, honestly.
Finally, my generation is very diverse in terms of demographics. Some of us come from single-parent families and some of us come from two-parent families. Some of us are from very rich families, some are from very poor families, and many come from middle-of-the-road families in terms of income and wealth. Some of us are white, some are black, a fast-growing number are Latino or Asian. A growing number of us are openly gay, or otherwise not heterosexual or hetero-normative. One other thing I would note is that we are a very urban generation, with many young people leaving rural areas and even suburbs to live (or attempt to live 
) in major cities. The point is, we are such a large and diverse generation, that, in spite of the images of the mass media and social media, there really isn't a "typical" member of my generation, or any generation for that matter.
I don't think it's my place, or anyone else's for that matter, to blame previous generations for today's problems. There's enough blame to go around, but it's just so easy to play the blame game, yet a hell of a lot harder to find and implement workable solutions. It's not our fault that we grew up in this world, but at some point, we do have to accept responsibility for making the world a better place.
Thanks for reading my rambling. 
= new reply since forum marked as read
But, what the hell, I'm adaptable. I shortened the height a little. Hopefully that won't cause any consternation. 
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Birds are territorial creatures.
The lyrics to the songbird's melodious trill go something like this:
"Stay out of my territory or I'll PECK YOUR GODDAMNED EYES OUT!"[/center][/font][hr]
Step away from the Aqua Net! Step away! 
Lord knows I used a lot of it! 
K&R
's Sounds about right from what I hear from education folks who work with your generation.
What you say here rings true. It's our Mainstream Corporate Media and others with political agenda who want to throw folks into "Demographical Borders" and then suit their reporting to that.
What you say:
"I don't think it's my place, or anyone else's for that matter, to blame previous generations for today's problems. There's enough blame to go around, but it's just so easy to play the blame game, yet a hell of a lot harder to find and implement workable solutions. It's not our fault that we grew up in this world, but at some point, we do have to accept responsibility for making the world a better place."
It's always the "few" of a generation who speak out ...gain followers for change..who make that difference that colors a generation...but, yes... It's too simplistic to corral generations into boxes although large groups born in a certain time frame where there is technological, industrial or agricultural upheaval do stand out because of the challenges they face and the repercussions that reverberate across the world.
Good idea not to get into the blame game re. generations. We are all up against forces that would divide us. Best to stick together with those of like mind, no matter what age.
I hope the Millennials take this NSA data mining of private data as something to pay attention to. It could affect your generation in ways you may not even imagine yet. Take it seriously.
I also hope the Millennials will not accept the continued ravaging of the planet & environment. You see those issues clearly. But you will have to act on it.
I do sense that the Millennials are "somewhat disengaged" from politics. But what I learned (the hard way) is that if you don't pay attention to politics, you will be bulldozed by the people who are paying attention. Do not accept an abusive or exploitative government without a fight. You have a right to trust that the government works for you. At this point that trust is broken. We need you to help us Boomers & GenX work to fix it. Keep believing that it can be fixed.
Your generation isn't so different from mine -- although I'm probably close to 3 decades older than you.
I agree strongly with your perspective. I hate monolithic characterizations of any group. The truth is always far stranger and more interesting than the professional stereotypists would have us believe.
I love your rambling. Please keep it up.
Well thought out and well composed.
I don't want to sound like an Old Fogey, but I would like to point out that the Student Loan disaster is part of a much BIGGER systemic problem in the USA.
My parents were members of the Greatest Generation.
They grew up in the Depression. My fathers, Grandfathers, Uncles, and Great Uncles shed BLOOD fighting for the rights of the Working Class to a better life. They fought and won WW2.
Under FDR's New Deal, [font size=3]they were able to give to evberybody
the wealthiest, largest, and most upwardly mobile Working Class the World has ever seen.[/font]
In the 50s and 60s, a single, non college educated, Blue Collar Worker could:
*could find and keep a GOOD job with benefits and job security
*could raise a family in relative comfort with ONE person working a single Full Time job
*could provide good health care to his family
*could BUY and Pay Off a comfortable home in the suburbs
*buy a NEW American made car every couple of years
*could take a REAL traveling vacation every year
*could provide education and good clothes to the children
*could save enough to retire in relative comfort
There were the lingering problems of Race & Gender discrimination,
but the Democratic Party was making great advances in making the above possible for everyone.
In the 60s and 70s, it was possible for anyone to attend the State University and graduate DEBT FREE if willing to work a part Time job.
I benefited from all of the above, and I am grateful.
The reason I am posting this is not to gloat,
but to point out that ALL of the above were possible because of the LABOR Movement,
and the New Deal of President Franklin Roosevelt.
In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established [font size=3]for all—regardless of station, race, or creed.[/font]
Among these are:
*The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;
*The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;
*The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;
*The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;
*The right of every family to a decent home;
*The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;
*The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;
*The right to a good education.
All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.---FDR, SOTU, 1944
Please note that Democratic President Roosevelt specified the above as Basic Human Rights,
and NOT as commodities to be SOLD to Americans by For Profit Corporations.
There was a time in MY life when voting FOR The Democrat was voting FOR the above Basic Human Rights. Sadly this is no longer true,
and the results are, in ONE respect, the crushing Student Loans that you and your generation are having to battle.
It breaks my heart to see an entire generation turned into Wage Slaves loaded down with massive debt at a time that should be the Most Free and Unburdened years of your entire life.
That is not something that just happened.
It is a part of something that was Deliberately Done to You by some of the greediest and most cold hearted bastards the World has ever seen.
Again, I don't want to preach, but I feel that the History of America's Working Class
and the tremendous gifts of The New Deal are being deliberately erased from the History Books and from the Living Memory.
It certainly doesn't get mentioned by the Democratic Party Leadership anymore,
so it is Up to You and Yours to embrace this history and THOSE values that made the American Dream possible.
THAT hasn't been just accidentally "lost".
It has been deliberately STOLEN from YOU steadily over the last 30 years.
It IS Your American Birth Right,
but it is up to you to demand it back from those greedy and craven bastards that have stolen it.
Good Luck you YOU and your generation.
"They" won't let go without a fight.
[font color=firebrick size=3][center]"If we don't fight hard enough for the things we stand for,
at some point we have to recognize that we don't really stand for them."
--- Paul Wellstone[/font][/center]
[center]
[/font]
[font size=1]photo by bvar22
Shortly before Sen Wellstone was killed[/center][/font]
[font size=5 color=firebrick]Solidarity![/font]