We finish today the book by Jean Twenge, a book that provides powerful statistics about generation trends. Her book is called 

Generation Me: Why Today’s Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled–and More Miserable Than Ever Before).

What do you think of this book? Which generational trends do you think are most significant today?

I want to summarize some of the conclusions she draws:

“Generation Me has the highest self-esteem of any generation, but also the most depression. We are more free and equal, but also more cynical. We expect to follow our dreams, but are anxious about making that happen” (212).

1. More and more iGens will be disappointed about not achieving their dream professions. They will not handle critique at work well and they will not be able to afford the house they think they deserve.

2. Increasingly equal across races, men and women and gays and lesbians. Women will continue to pursue their degrees, have children, but they will have more and more stress about day care. She thinks the next generation will be even more me focused.

3. Employers need to know iGens are not spoiled or selfish and do not have it easy. They work hard and will work harder if praised. They are not motivated by a sense of duty or have an innate respect of authority. They learn best by doing. They are more flexible. Salary is more important to this generation than the previous one. Young women workers are a different breed.

Her proposals:

1. Ditch the self-esteem movement and unrealistic aphorisms. It creates narcissists.
2. Provide better career counseling.
3. Create more support for working parents.
4. Parents need to focus on self-control and not self-esteem more; do not automatically side with your child; limit exposure to violence; don’t use words like “spoiled.”

Great book. Buy it and read it.