How Would You Describe Gen Y?
We had a visioning meeting yesterday for the ministry I’m involved in. We target 20-somethings in the Des Moines area with a desire to build biblical community.
One of the exercises was to describe the generation that we’re trying to reach. The presenting question was this:
What are three words you would use to describe to the Gen Y/Millenial/Young Adult generation?
Here are mine:
- Smart
- Compassionate
- What’s-In-It-For-Me?
Help me out with some “market research”–What three words would you add to the list?
Why do you call it “Gen Y”?
Because the previous generation is Gen X
Also, it's an easily identifiable cultural handle. There's various names for this generation, but this one seems to keep sticking.
Do you prefer a different identifier?
I don't have a preferred identifier necessarily. However, when many (not all) commentators use the term Gen Y the assumption that somehow the generation is on the same path as Gen X. I love reading Howe and Strauss as a curiosity (though I've wondered about the worth of their theories,) they used “Millennial Generation.”
Millenial is a term I like as well. I included that in the descriptor in the post … To me, Gen Y and Millenial are synonymous.
Confused
Eager
Compassionate
Confused because we (i am a gen y guy) are trying to figure out where to go what to do and where we can find meaning and be apart of something.
Eager because we are eager to do work, get involved, etc…
Compassionate in regards to social justice.
Something of interest is the metaphor of the boomerang generation.
I find that very fascinating and wonder why that is the case for most Gen Y people?
Boomerang generation. Explain more. I've heard that terminology but am unfamiliar with the premise.
Resourceful, team oriented and excited. I just stumbled upon your blog. This sounds like a blog I'll revist.
well much like a boomerang, Gen Y goes out and comes right back.
I am a boomerang. I lived with my parents, went to college away from where my parents live and am now back living with them again.
The way I mainly look at it is that Gen Y wants to be free for a little bit but then needs the security of home and family. That is why the eager and confused is the way I would describe Gen Y. Eager to do something, just do not know what to do.
Hooray! Welcome to the site and thanks for your input, Kristina.
In the book UnChristian, they use the term Busters and Mosaics to cover a larger demographic. Very insightful book BTW.
I have heard the 'boomerang' generation in relation to Gen Yers heading back home to live instead of heading out on their own.
I would say, creative, social and fearless.
Sarah
http://www.genyguide.com
1) Cynical
2) Passionate
3) Confused
What a fun game!
Wonder if there's big differences between US and UK Gen Yrs. Have you seen the good work done by Phil Rankin, 'Buried Spirituality', and Bob Mayo et al, 'Making Sense of Gen Y'? Both focus clearly on British culture but may be worth the read.
1. action-oriented
2. restorative
3. dreamer
As a millenial/Gen Yer I've seen most of us as wanting to act more on things, not just talk about it. Restorative because tearing down old things isn't necessary if they can be restored for something else. Why not use what we've already got? Which is resourceful, too. And dreamer because they want more for everyone on earth, not just themselves or their country. Their/our dreams seem to encompas things way out of the realm of what seems possible. But those are usually the people who do them.
Enlightened
Cause-oriented (although not always for the right reasons)
Fame-hungry (mostly because they know new mediums allow for their voices to be heard)
I certainly wouldn't say they are a “What's in it for me” generation. Actually “Passionate” and “What's in it for me” don't even go together. I would say Passionate is definitely correct. Gen Y comes out of a Generation of “entitlement” or a “Just give it to me” mentality and they recognize the dangers behind this. That is what is giving them their “Passion” Unfortunately being a product of the previous generation they don't always know what to be passionate about. This is where I assume you are seeing the “What's in it for me” They are looking for something to truly grab hold of and be passionate about but need to know it's truly worthwhile before they will dive in. Because of this it should be an exciting time of awakening and movement in your ministry. If not I would suggest it could be because of that subtle misunderstanding of the Generation. They will sacrifice once shown a passion. I've watched it happen and It's an exciting thing to see when the passion is focused on Christ.
Passionate
Searching
Wanting to leave their Mark
That is how I would describe this generation!
It is a fun game
Those seem like interesting reads. What was the one largest take-away for you from these books?
Dawn … You've piqued my curiousity. In what ways have you seen Gen Y be cause-oriented in a negative way?
I wouldn't call it negative…standing for causes is “in” right now. And, I personally don't believe it's a fad, I think we're seeing a societal transformation in people understanding their own power to make change. But in that process, there is a lot of pressure to stand for something. So, sometimes, what I see are individuals standing behind causes because they think they need to to be cool (without any understanding or action)…or they stand for 1000 causes because the thought is that more is better.
Don't get me wrong, I think that both of those (regardless of how they came to be) are at least educational and can raise awareness. But, I believe there is a difference between talking about a cause and standing/working for a cause. It's as if there is a menu of causes that gives people ADD. I think the opportunity is in helping each other turn awareness into action.
And, for the record, I think it will get better. But there is such a fascination with it right now. It's really no different than what celebrities have battled at some level for years…standing behind a cause for attention, versus standing behind a cause to make change.
Great point. Good clarification.
In other words, stand for something because you believe in it–not because it's the cause du jour.
Interestingly they contradicted each other (surprise, surprise!!)…basically Mayo says Gen Y is not spiritual, at least not how we in the church understand. Rankin, however, states that Gen Y are in fact deeply spiritual, but lackthe language to describe it.
Interestingly, the biggest thing Rankin uncovered for me is that while Gen X recognised their spiritual side but didn't trust religion Gen Yers link spirituality with religion and therefore are negative about that too.
In other words we need to think deeply about how we communicate the basics of our faith, like talking about prayer, or even words like grace or sin…which basically lean nothing to your average Yer. I do some work in a school here in the UK and it's really made me work beyond the usual cliches…great stuff.
Really recommend Rankin for his interviews with British young people…so powerful and challenging to the church today.
Interestingly they contradicted each other (surprise, surprise!!)…basically Mayo says Gen Y is not spiritual, at least not how we in the church understand. Rankin, however, states that Gen Y are in fact deeply spiritual, but lackthe language to describe it.
Interestingly, the biggest thing Rankin uncovered for me is that while Gen X recognised their spiritual side but didn't trust religion Gen Yers link spirituality with religion and therefore are negative about that too.
In other words we need to think deeply about how we communicate the basics of our faith, like talking about prayer, or even words like grace or sin…which basically lean nothing to your average Yer. I do some work in a school here in the UK and it's really made me work beyond the usual cliches…great stuff.
Really recommend Rankin for his interviews with British young people…so powerful and challenging to the church today.