Why is it that the ‘Millennial generation’ — so widely discussed in the media — is not really understood? The contrary nature of Millennials is making researchers scratch their heads and political analysts worry.
The Millennials are a generation of twenty-somethings starting their adulthood at the turn of the millennium. Branded the Me, Me, Me generation, they show the same unimaginative desire of fame and narcissistic hunger for money of the previous generation, but they also show another side — they can be altruistic, community-minded and socialist. So how do all these contradictions work?
Perhaps the mistakes of the past are helping to redefine this generation not as one dominate force with distinct ideologies of wealth, family traditions and class, but as a diverse groups of communities with various ideals on society, politics, community and religion. The trouble is political analysts are concerned about how this new way of thinking will play out in politics.
Today’s Millennials are fiercely committed to community service and a community type of politics. They find it difficult to believe that politics or government can improve their communities, their country or the world. Most Millennials have become so disillusioned by politics that they’re unwilling to take up careers in politics. So why are so many civic-minded Millennials rejecting public service and politics?
For at least a decade, experts have struggled to understand why Millennials are not choosing to enter politics: if this continues, what will happen to U.S. politics over the next two or three decades, with the best and brightest abandoning Washington?
What will the Millennials do to change the political system — will it be revolutionary, or will it be the same old politics dressed up like the emperor new clothes?
The history of the former generation — ‘Generation X’ — has played a huge part in shaping the Millennials. Sandwiched between 80 million Baby Boomers and 78 million Millennials, Generation X — roughly defined as anyone born between 1965 and 1980 — has just a population of 46 million. Despite being condemned to a minor role in generation battles, many of the contradictory traits of the Millennials start here.
Lessons learned from Generation X
Generation X revealed its true nature in its monetary excesses but also its distrust of authority. The Xers were a generation of two-income families, rising divorce rates and a boom-and-bust economy. Women were major players in the workforce but also became more absent at home, bringing about a generation of “latchkey” children. In the workplace, Generation Xers valued their freedom but also showed their disdain for authority, structured work hours and embraced a hands-off management philosophy.
The effects of Generation X on the Millennials are beginning to show in their relationship to politics, family and religion. Millennials are less likely to trust in politics of two parties, where there are limited to a choice of blue donkeys and red elephants. Instead, Millennials are far more interested in single issues. Millennials are also more open-minded to the values of socialism, race and gender equality, and are happy to refine family units to include gay couples with children and single women choosing to have families.
According to a Pew Research Centre report, the Millennials were among President Barack Obama’s strongest supporters in the 2008 election — the president received 66 percent support with those under 35 years, old compared with 32 percent for older adults. This was the largest disparity between younger and older voters recorded in four decades of modern election day exit polling. The fact that the Obama election machinery used social media was the key element to his winning over the Millennials and has possibly shown them the future of politics.
In the 2012 presidential election cycle, political enthusiasm had died down, leaving Millennials looking for new ways to change up politics. Three in ten blamed Obama for the lack of change in politics, while more than half blamed his political opponents and special interest groups.
Although Millennials are the most likely of any generation to self-identify as liberals, they are less supportive of Baby Boomer ideals asserting national security policy, and more supportive of a progressive domestic social agenda. Despite their keen interest in politics and the ideals to serve the community, Millennials are still reluctant to take public political roles.
Then again, Obama’s introduction of social media to election campaigns has shown a way forward. It means Millennials can use technology and social media to make it possible to bring together people to effect change. Millennials are shifting politics to social media platforms — bringing about social movements to put pressure on all governments.
Today, the average age in the House of Representative is 57, and 63 in the Senate. Although Americans can begin their careers in the House at 25, only about 10 percent of House members are under the age of 40. Being surrounded by the old guard of traditional politicians is failing to attract the young and the most talented.
In his book “The End of Big: How the Internet Makes David the New Goliath,” Nicco Mele warns that governments, political parties, corporations and other national institutions are crumbling before the power of the individual and the “radical connectivity” of technology. “Should present trends go unchecked,” Mele writes, “it is easy to imagine a nightmare scenario of social breakdown.”
The economic realities of most Millennials are poor at the moment — an estimated 34 percent of Americans aged 18 to 32 are living with their parents, and only 33 percent can afford to live on their own as of March 2013, according to the Pew report. Their lack of desire to enter the world of politics and choosing a new path forward will be interesting to see unfold – where we end up is anyone’s guess.