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| Source: Chris Kutarna |
This successful and prosperous life doesn’t come without challenges and it doesn’t come without work. This was understood a century ago, but the question is, do we understand it today? It seems as time goes on, we want to reap all of the benefits of the American Dream without putting in the required work. Millennials, for example, are one particular group who want to live the life our parents are currently living. We want the nice house, and the fancy car, not to mention the lavish vacations, and shopping sprees. I’m sure sometimes our parents scratch their heads, wondering when we will understand that it wasn’t easy for them to get to that point, and surely it won’t be easy for us to get there.
The point is, however, that the American Dream is still a real possibility. And it’s a real possibility, for everyone. That is the beauty of it. The American Dream doesn’t discriminate by picking and choosing who gets to be successful, but rather it gives all the opportunity to live the life he or she wants. So, it may be time for some to have a wakeup call to realize that all of the glamour and shine won’t come without a price.
I've heard this idea before and it makes me wonder if I fall in that category of millenials or if I'm one of them who has a grasp on reality. I'm not sure, but I do think that millenials value flexibility and their passions more than previous generations have, so maybe millenials are seen as more "flimsy" in their work ethic because they aren't following traditional work pathways.
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ReplyDeleteYou mention that the American Dream is a real possibility for everyone and that it doesn't discriminate. I agree that success often requires some degree of work ethic, but it definitely does discriminate. Not to say anyone can't become successful, but someone starting off in a wealthy situation clearly and statistically has a better chance of maintaining a high standard of living than someone who starts off in poverty has of becoming wealthy. I also agree with Lily that millennials' different approach to work does not mean that they—we—have a low work ethic. "Millennials" is a term unfairly targeted all too often.
ReplyDeleteI think that because many "millennials" have lived with the highest standard of living ever to be lived in the history of the world, they are actually able to live by their passions. I do strongly agree with Ana that there are many people from the millennial generation who take for granted where the free market has gotten them and refuse to take the responsibility associated with success. Without responsibility life has no meaning. This is why I think mental health issues are growing exponentially, not just among millennials.
ReplyDeleteCan you blame millenials for behaving differently, we have to in order to survive. More people are being educated than ever before, and more than ever we are being prepared for jobs that don't even exist yet. It has been estimated that today college students are far more under-prepared than ever before for the job market.
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