Angelo Yatco
1301-S07
November 18, 2012
Generation Me In Generation Me, a comprehensive look into the current generation’s attitude towards the self, the differences from previous generations, and the overall effects of current social forces on the individual, Jean Twenge makes many observations on controversial topics. Though making many wild claims, we can only agree with the staggering amount of research and evidence she presents. Twenge begins her book with a chapter titled “You Don’t Need Their Approval: The Decline of Social Rules”. In this chapter, she explores the idea that the society of Generation Me, quantified as individuals born in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, is becoming less and less formal. It is apparent that the social norms of our generation compared to those of the previous (Baby Boomers) seem to be very lax. As traditional values such as clothed appearance and other forms of outward image seem to be less significant, Twenge looks into the reason of such a change in attitude. Generation Me is said to have learned tolerance as a standard; because of this, appearance and behavioral changes are seen to be more outlandish than in the past. Moving from the typical “white picket fence neighborhoods” that stood for a conformist mentality, young adults now are geared towards acceptance for individual expression. Prime example of this can be seen in the way that people dress. Transitioning from the standard suit and tie, work places in modern society are now geared towards “business casual”. The idea of people expressing themselves in how they dress is becoming more accepted. In other words, members of Generation Me care little, if at all, about how they are seen to the public, an attitude that has been both cultivated and accepted by society. This attitude is not only apparent in modern dress, but in attitude and behavior. Etiquette and the concern for others’ comfort are seen to be less revered as the standards of life are lowering. Twenge deduces that these attitudes are a result of the manner of social interaction in modern society and the sanctions given in response.
Twenge argues that this change was implanted into our generation through institutions. A child going through the process of education now is not met with challenge and structure, but with an encouraging attitude towards efforts of any extent. This means that instead of being influenced to strive towards success, students are met with an acceptance of mediocrity and affirmation that one’s “personal best” will always be more than enough. This is also seen in the way Generation Me treats experts and authority. The belief in the individual has been taken too far; Instead of presenting respect and curiosity, our generation has learned to question authority. Formality, mannerly conduct, and general concern for others have extremely decreased in society’s concerns. The stress within classrooms on self-esteem has lead not towards healthy individualism but a self-centered perspective on how the world works.
Pondering this, we must beg the question of “what brought about this change?” Twenge notes that this change started in the Baby Boomer era. Youthful exploration began in the 1970s, as an immense counter-culture emerged. Individuals began exploring different ways of thinking (partially influenced by experimentation in drugs) and self-examination. Even so, there are huge differences in the two generations that can only be explained by the process of the emphasis of the self. While the Baby Boomers initiated this movement, Generation Me was born into it. Being taught this mentality by the facilitative attitude offered by teachers and professors, the norms of modern society allow and even encourage these ways of thinking.
Another factor of this change is advancing technology. As information and communication is becoming more attainable and widespread, opportunity in the world is growing. The concept of “being able to be anything you want to be”, presented in chapter 3, is supported by this opportunity. While in the past a standard 9-5 job would be ideal, it is now widely accepted that (given enough effort) one can accomplish anything. This produces increasing characteristics of entitlement and empowerment that lead individuals to be let down instead of adequately preparing them for the struggles that modern life presents.
Twenge transitions from these generational observations to an examination on the effects of individual focus on members of Generation Me. We see increased statistics of anxiety and depression in our generation as compared to previous ones. This can be easily seen as a product of high expectations. Being nurtured our whole lives about how “special” and “empowered” we are, Generation Me’ers experience unexpected difficulty when facing the real world. When facing the higher expectations in college and work-related events, our generation is faced head-on with its weaknesses. While experiencing “success” early on in life, members of Generation Me become used to exerting little effort in expanding one’s abilities and intelligence. This, paired with our increasingly difficult economic situation, brings about massive difficulties later on in life. The false belief that actual effort is unnecessary comes back to haunt those that had once thought their efforts were enough to “get by on”.
As well as facing humiliating discouragement, individuals included in Generation Me are noted to have an over-pronounced sex life. Going along with withering traditional values, sex and marriage are seen to occur earlier and earlier on in the lives of young adults today. As our generation becomes more comfortable and open about what used to be a taboo topic, we conclude that the views on relationships and marriage just aren’t the same anymore. As Generation Me focuses on the self, it makes sense that younger adolescents are indulging in acts of pleasure more than they are concerned about the intimacy of having a relationship.
Twenge also addresses a more controversial topic: civil rights. With high value in the self, it is only natural that issues about ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation become more discussed and eventually supported. Though racial and sexual equality has been a long-standing issue, we are seeing more and more debate about same sex marriage. Growing up believing in self-expression and individuality, the society that is forming is becoming more and more accepting, even overlooking religious upbringing.
All in all, Twenge covers a vast amount of topics that all relate to Generation Me’s attitude towards the self. We see how quickly change is occurring when contrasted with previous generations; at the same time we are forced to wonder about where we are headed. Looking at the notion that “you don’t need their approval” and seeing an abundant amount of overconfidence due to society’s emphasis on self-esteem, many individuals are finding themselves extremely unprepared for the realities of life. Being relatively young, Generation Me has started down a path that may end up in disaster.
While reading Twenge’s analysis of generational shift, I found myself increasingly repulsed. The controversial issues she introduces, though not completely unnoticed, shocked me. The extent of what I consider to be our generation’s downfall is intensely unnerving; these are topics that for the most part are being ignored or unnoticed by our society. Regarding the overly-affirming teaching styles (with emphasis on self-esteem), I agree wholeheartedly with Twenge that students are being hurt more than helped. Twenge gives an example about how a pizza party that originally was only offered to students who earned an A on select schoolwork became available to all that did not fail, in fear of giving the message that some are better than others. While having good intentions, these kinds of practices send all the wrong messages. Students have less motivation to fully apply themselves and really push their boundaries of critical thinking, and become comfortable with minimal effort for mediocre achievement. This mindset after these nurturing years leads students towards failure. Entering college, with much higher standards of innovation and learning, individuals who were once able to get by are now encountering a problem they’ve never had to address: the premise of failure. We are not taught to engage in the kind of thought processes that ask the right questions, that prepare us for life. We challenge authority not to engage in critical thought, but as an act of the self. Twenge even emphasizes that many in this generation know nothing about politics and, in all suspicion, probably don’t care. With total self-centeredness, concern about society as a whole is somewhat ignored, as if there would be no influence on one’s own life.
On the topic of etiquette and mannerism, I have personally begun seeing the behavioral attitudes that Twenge distresses about. In utter dismay I started observing students’ attitudes towards teachers and the classroom, self-expression in ways that seem to go way overboard (use of foul language, profane clothing and tattoos, etc.), and even my own personal behavior. Seeing these behaviors, the ideals of having good manners, chivalry, and other qualities that make up a respectable adult are hard to imagine seeing my peers taking up. The manifest functions that an individual is expected to demonstrate as a member of society has weakened; as time progresses Generation Me might not be able to make it.
In conclusion, Twenge makes many controversial assertions, all of which I agree with, that prove that there are motions that need to be taken to salvage our society. Thinking about the workplace, employers are urged to take advantage of this generation’s comfort by positively encouraging progress and learning. Though I believe in the power of constructive criticism, members of Generation Me and their high self-image may not be able to handle criticism at all. However, working around this weakness will only go so far; the problem needs to be stopped in its origin. Parents, educators, and other members of society need to stop the celebration of unconditional worth, and start giving credit where credit is earned. Additionally, coming generations need to learn to value more than the self but the bigger picture, be it society, religion, or even universal social interaction. Twenge impressively analyzes a change that is both resolute and unprecedented. For the betterment of our society these topics need to be taken seriously; it is up to every individual to make change happen, as Twenge makes it painstakingly obvious that change is needed.