To the Millenials from a Gen Xer

[TM99]

20. You make many valid points.

Last edited Sat Jul 20, 2013, 04:05 PM - Edit history (1)

I disagree with a few though.

Labels are important. We define things. We act based on them. We learn or we do not learn from them. I work in the field of psychology where 'labels' are very important. It is not the essence of the person, however, it helps them to know where they are at and how to be happier someplace else.

For example, all those persons who share a certain set of criteria which defines them symptomatically may be labeled 'depressed'. However, all persons who are labeled 'depressed' are not exactly alike, nor should they be treated alike. That is how generations are in my mind. They share certain commonalities of experience and psychic orientation and yet each one is naturally going to express it in their own unique and individual way.

One thing that has happened in the last 50 years has been an over-valuation of youth. The reasons why older generations previous have worried about younger ones is because they lack knowledge, experience, and the wisdom that is gained form those things. History is replete with examples of young kings and queens who brought more problems than solutions to their kingdoms or countries. Young emperors of Greece and Rome who made fatal mistakes on the battle-field and in the games of politics. Young revolutionaries who ended up becoming far great tyrants than the men and women they were supposedly liberating the people from.

I wear the label of 'grumpy old man' proudly. It means that somehow I have become one of those men that has learned and experienced enough that yes, I have a bit of insight into the patterns of life and the wisdom to choose solutions better thought out than my younger self was capable of doing.

In my twenties, I respected those older than me who had that kind of knowledge and wisdom. I wanted to be like them when I grew older. I never once considered calling them 'grumpy' because they pointed out things about me or my generation that were painfully accurate and true. I work with many Milennials. I teach them. I supervise them. On the whole they are wonderful individuals, and I can still observe traits that they as a generation with their experiences have in common - some good and others bad.