That's the name that's been slapped onto those who fall into the under 30 demo portion of the population. And what does the E stand for?
Well, before I answer that, here are some hints...
"Why don't I have an office?"
"What do you mean I have to work through lunch and stay late?"
"Why can't I get a new computer... why do I get a used one?"
These and many like them are exactly the kinds of questions I hear, almost on a daily basis from "kids" who are so wet behind their collective ears they should wear waterproof clothes. (Note: Analogies have never been one of my strong points.)
So what does the E stand for?
ENTITLEMENT!
Geez, there's even a definition of it on Dictionary.com!
Main Entry: Entitlement Generation
Part of Speech: n
Definition: the group born between 1979 and 1994 who believe they are owed certain rights and benefits without further justification
Example: The entitlement generation expects higher salaries, flexible work hours, and ample time off.
Be it kids right out of college or a few years removed, nearly every one I come across comes fully equipped with a undeniable and irrefutable sense of Entitlement.
Asking is not an option. No, these kids demand AND expect to be given many of the same "luxuries" and "entitlements" that come with having put in years and years of blood, sweat and tears.
Working hard, paying their dues... sorry, not this group.
So the question is where does this sense of Entitlement come from?
College?
Perhaps. Maybe they've seen their friends land high-paying jobs right out of school and they too, think they will find similar green pastures.
Maybe it's their professors who are filling their heads with these delusions of grandeur?
Parents?
Have their parents done a poor job in preparing their kids for the "real world?" Have their parents not instilled in them, as mine did in me, the value of hard work, paying your dues, working your way up and all that good stuff?
I don't know for sure where, when and how this all started, but it is reality. Maybe not in your world, but I'm pretty sure it's in most.
Please share your thoughts..
Til next time.