Ad-Libs | Our generation gets a bad rap

There are many names for us. Our parents want to call those born from the late 1970s to the early 1990s Generation Y, Echo Boomers or Millennials. Countless studies are investigating the emergence of our collective identity and researching the differences between older groups and our new cohort. Businesses are looking for ways to accommodate us in the form of compelling recruitment strategies and effective management tactics. Lately, all eyes have been on us.

We’ve attracted all of this attention, but not for good reasons. Although there are many names for us, there are few positive expectations. The New York Times reports an increased level of egotism within Gen Y because of an inflated sense of self. ParaPundit.com examines a false sense of entitlement this generation allegedly possesses due to unrealistic expectations. USA Today describes us as techno-crazed, prompting studies on the effects of an increased amount of time in front of gadgets. Every generation has faced their share of criticism, but this onslaught of backlash is unprecedented.

Nevertheless, previous generations do not give us enough credit.

For the first time in history, we face the possibility of being worse off than our parents. We had no part in the making of the world we inherited. Yet, we are expected to succeed by relying on the lessons handed down to us by arguably the very people who created this quagmire. Despite the odds, if there is any generation that can handle the pressure, it is ours.

But why all the hate in the first place? My first hypothesis: fear. The future is our generation or, as they see it, a group of young adults that are short-sighted, narcissistic, entertainment-crazed drones — but most importantly — extremely different from them. They may be throwing stones because they are afraid we will make foolish decisions that impact our collective future.

My second hypothesis: jealously. Our generation is on the cusp of the most exciting innovations. As a result, our predecessors may be lashing out at us because they do not understand the changes and are upset that we can navigate with such ease.

My third hypothesis: pressure. The stress from all of the woes of the world is creating tension, and people are looking for someone to blame. This upcoming generation, because of all its genuine, rebellious character, is the easiest scapegoat.

Whatever the reason for criticism, our generation has so far displayed numerous promising qualities. Older generations should not fear what we make of the future because we are high achievers, constantly setting new bars for our peers to break and proving we are capable of handling life’s fastballs.

As Penn President Amy Gutmann said in a recent interview with Inc., “One of the characteristics of Millennials … is that they are primed to do well by doing good.” She testified to our generation’s collaborative nature, so previous generations shouldn’t be jealous.

The pressure is on us, more than anyone else, to keep being innovative and to help repair the world’s situation. Despite the negative reports, we are optimistic. The reports concerning the future of Gen Y mentioned earlier may hold some low punches, but they all agree: The new workforce has an inspiring hope and confidence that everything will be okay.

No one would ever expect to have his life’s destiny written in stone before they turn 30. The attitude is entirely too doomsday; if some form of electronically induced brain degradation doesn’t ruin Gen Y, the carpal tunnel sure will. Dozens of people have predicted the end of the world, and they have all been wrong.

And in this trying and pivotal time, it’s safe to say that Generation Y will be a generation to remember. The world is ours for the losing, or for the taking. But here’s me betting on the latter.

Adrienne Edwards is a College sophomore from Queens, New York. Her e-mail address is edwards@theDP.com. Ad-Libs appears on Wednesdays.

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