This post was written by Connor Evans, Bryant University ‘19
This is the second part of the blog article. You can read the first part by clicking here.
Diversity Focus
Millennials are all about diversity. Diversity is the epicenter of their sense of equality, fairness, peace, and prosperity. A vast majority of millennials view diversity as one of the most important things in the world, whether it be in a firm, in a school, in a government, or even in the nation as a whole. The millennials believe that diversity provides strength. The millennials, however, tend to forget about unity and the strength it brings by working collectively towards a common goal.
For some reason, millennials have taken a very extreme stance for diversity. They desire diversity and acceptance of diversity from and for everyone across society. They want inclusion of everyone, regardless of who they are or what qualities they have. As a predominantly left wing generation, they tend to try to change established social norms, which are the status quo. What they are doing by trying to include everyone, is that they are actually beginning to create a new exclusion. By this I mean that they are creating a society based entirely on individualism.
A world in which everyone is a part of one big group is really a world in which everyone is their own group. This would mean everyone has their own sociological folkways and norms that apply to and submit to no one else except for themselves. In a way, millennials are inadvertently making a push past social inclusiveness and toward social anarchy.
All Is Not Lost
Fortunately, all is not lost for the future of our country. Whether it’s good or bad is relative. But the fact remains that the millennial mind is quite adaptive and malleable. As easily as these people can be worked up into a frenzy over a simple rumor, they could also be easily convinced to change their mindset.
At this time, what this generation lacks is a strong leader from within their ranks. Due to the self-centered nature of the majority of them, millennials with power tend to defer leadership to others. Take Mark Zuckerberg for instance. Zuckerberg, a millennial and one of the nation’s leading philanthropists, donates massive sums of money to charitable organizations. This is great work from a millennial. However, Zuckerberg started Facebook, a massive network that an overwhelming majority of millennials use or are at least aware of. He could have easily used his stature and influence to begin to lead society, but he didn’t.
Not that he has to be “the one,” but a millennial of such power does need to begin to lead this generation. If allowed to wallow in their own inherent tendencies too long, the millennials will most likely continue down their path towards an entirely individualistic society. Luminaries like Zuckerberg and others with a great amount of power and influence must step up and head the millennials in a more positive and less destructive direction.
And the Future?
The millennial generation seems to be an enigma for the older generations of the United States. They are a highly intelligent bunch, though not without their obvious flaws. They don’t tend to handle adversity particularly well because of coddling by their parents. They lack interpersonal communication skills. And they are so pro-diversity, they seem to forget the importance of belonging to a group of similar views and beliefs. They promote individual rights, even if it means sacrificing some social constructs that in previous generations kept people united along the way.
The millennials are in danger, but they are not too far gone to be helped. They just need strong leadership and guidance from within their ranks in order to suppress their extreme and anti-establishment viewpoints that could throw the balance of the country out of whack, if left unchecked. That would be an unintended consequence that no one would want, no matter what generation they belong to.
Now What?
The monster we have created here is ours and ours alone. In order to prevent catastrophe, we need to embrace this fact, and use what we know to give the millennials the push they so desire, in the right direction.
- Encourage millennials to take ownership and responsibility for themselves and groups they belong to.
- Allow millennials to feel ashamed when they make mistakes. Shame is a wonderful teacher.
- Empower Give them to tools to solve their own problems, without solving problems for them.
- Trust Whether you like it or not, they are going to take the reins of society in a few years. Rather than be afraid or upset about what may come, embrace and guide them so that they may do the job right.
Editor’s Note: Connor Evans is a student in one of my classes this semester. He writes articles for his local newspaper. Earlier this semester, he sent me this article and I agreed to post it to this blog site. While this article does not “fit” the theme and focus of this blog site, it is my hope that this well-written and honest article helps to further this discussion … in a civil, positive and professional manner. Thanks to Connor for writing this article.
References
Safer, M., (2007, November 8) http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-millennials-are-coming/
Marano, H. E. (2014). Helicopter Parenting—It’s Worse Than You Think. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/nation-wimps/201401/helicopter-parenting-its-worse-you-think
Smith, Weston H., (2015, March 20). Personal Interview.