[multicollinearity]

Originally Posted by Marie_LPN

So that's why's it's fine to label groups like that?

Marie,

I understand your point. Really I do. It is dangerous to state traits among groups. The danger is that some will simplify the complex and apply generalizations to individuals rather than groups. It is unwise and unfair to assume that any individual within a particular group shares the group's characteristics.

That said, if we didn't study differences/traits/qualities of groups -then sociologists/psychologists/anthropologists/political scientists would have nothing to do. We would be lacking regarding our knowledge of our society.

For example, according to an article in today's New York Times, many young men of the millennial generation are struggling with college. Not as many are graduating compared to women, and many are slacking off regarding grades. Women of this generation have much higher GPAs and graduation rates on average. These are facts. It would be unfair to assume that your male millennial college student neighbor matches this description. But the stat on the group is valid and worthy of study and discussion. It alerts to a problem for a generation that needs a solution. Either that, or the millennial women are out performing them for a reason that needs to be understood. See what I mean?

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by Natkat

I don't think it's negative or unkind. I think it's completely dead on!

My daughter is a millenial generation person - boy that's a cumbersome term. Anyway, yes, she absolutely needs constant praise and pat on the back to do the simplest things. It's exasperating!

Just as some of the other posters have said - we created these monsters. In our zeal to make them feel good about themselves, we've created a generation of fragile, emotionally needy folks who do indeed need constant rewards to just perform what everyone else does routinely.

Last semester as I was standing in line to register for college, I was chatting with three (THREE) other women my age who were standing in line to register their children for college. Where, pray tell, where the little darlings and why weren't they standing in line registering themselves? They were home in bed asleep.

I'm glad you realize that these "monsters" are what you created.

Part of the problem as you say is some parents are too indulgent.

Do you also think that it might be because this generation is also one who grew up in homes where both parents worked and thus parents tended to overcompensate when they got home constantly giving them rewards for doing their homework quickly, going to bed nicely, or getting out of mom and dad's way so they could do evening chorse like cook and clean? Plus the guilt all working mom's feel and then come home to make up for that guilt?

Also this generation more than any other comes from broken homes, so the parent's might overly compensate thinking their children can't handle it.

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by multicollinarity

Marie,

I understand your point. Really I do. It is dangerous to state traits among groups. The danger is that some will simplify the complex and apply generalizations to individuals rather than groups. It is unwise and unfair to assume that any individual within a particular group shares the group's characteristics.

That said, if we didn't study differences/traits/qualities of groups -then sociologists/psychologists/anthropologists/political scientists would have nothing to do. We would be lacking regarding our knowledge of our society.

For example, according to an article in today's New York Times, many young men of the millennial generation are struggling with college. Not as many are graduating compared to women, and many are slacking off regarding grades. Women of this generation have much higher GPAs and graduation rates on average. These are facts. It would be unfair to assume that your male millennial college student neighbor matches this description. But the stat on the group is valid and worthy of study and discussion. It alerts to a problem for a generation that needs a solution. Either that, or the millennial women are out performing them for a reason that needs to be understood. See what I mean?

Maybe this is the first generation where females are finally getting to be themselves and show their natural superiority.

Actually, I've read a bit about the "boy crisis" and it's interesting, but I'm glad to see the females are picking up the slack.

[greentea]

I guess I'm in the Millenial generation, and I've done some reading on the whole generational attitudes thing. While many of the posts kind if smear us Millenials as being slackers of some sort and pull out the standard "kids these days...", Milennials on the whole are fairly idealistic and value social justice and serving the community. I certainly think nursing needs a bunch like us and we're definitely answering the call in droves. Just give us a chance. I can tell you that I'm a hard worker. I don't expect a "trophy for showing up" and I can assure you that I not only registered for my own my college courses but I put myself through college TWICE already without any financial support from my family. Anyways, lets just give each other a chance.

[CrunchRN]

I am hoping these younger nurses will improve nursing. I am glad they can draw the line with their employer and aren't afraid to say no and they don't want to take any crap. Nurses have needed to be more outspoken for a long, long time. I am sick to death of nurses who moan and complain in private, but the minute they deal with management they are to scared to even voice their opinion. I say let these nurses carry the profession forward, especially in dealing with administration.

Lead on youngsters!

[Sistermoon]

First Forum Post EVER! Recognizing the good, the bad, and the ugly isn't necessarily a bad thing, is it? Kind of like loving someone even tho you perceive their "faults" in vivid technicolor...sometimes loving them despite those "ugly" things, and sometimes even BECAUSE of them...? I think diversity is very good for us. While I'm most comfortable working with people who share my way of doing things, I learn the most from those who are the least like me. I guess we sort of have to label things in the name of communication, but it is WE and NOT the labels themselves that give the "good" or "bad" character to the words we choose to use. The words themselves are faceless tools, if we allow them to be .

[llg]

Originally Posted by raregrace

First Forum Post EVER! Recognizing the good, the bad, and the ugly isn't necessarily a bad thing, is it? Kind of like loving someone even tho you perceive their "faults" in vivid technicolor...sometimes loving them despite those "ugly" things, and sometimes even BECAUSE of them...? I think diversity is very good for us. While I'm most comfortable working with people who share my way of doing things, I learn the most from those who are the least like me. I guess we sort of have to label things in the name of communication, but it is WE and NOT the labels themselves that give the "good" or "bad" character to the words we choose to use. The words themselves are faceless tools, if we allow them to be .

Great 1st post. Welcome to allnurses.

I agree that it's best when we can accept people even though we know they have faults. We all have faults & strengths that we bring to the table.

The Gen X'ers and the Millenials have a lot of positive qualities to bring to the nursing profession and we should celebrate those. But we (and they) should not be afraid to acknowledge that they have a few weaknesses as well -- just like the older generations.

llg

[Natkat]

Originally Posted by Tweety

I'm glad you realize that these "monsters" are what you created.

Part of the problem as you say is some parents are too indulgent.

Do you also think that it might be because this generation is also one who grew up in homes where both parents worked and thus parents tended to overcompensate when they got home constantly giving them rewards for doing their homework quickly, going to bed nicely, or getting out of mom and dad's way so they could do evening chorse like cook and clean? Plus the guilt all working mom's feel and then come home to make up for that guilt?

Also this generation more than any other comes from broken homes, so the parent's might overly compensate thinking their children can't handle it.

I do believe that has something to do with it, but there are many others as well.

I think as a generation, we as parents had more resources and could give our kids more than any other generation before. It's just instinct to give your children everything they want that you possibly can. It's especially compelling if you've grown up without having much, like I did. I didn't want my kids to be teased at school for not having the right clothes and what not. Turns out kids tease other kids for any reason, but I digress.

My brother and sister-in-law did everything "right". My sister-in-law stayed home with the kids and she and my brother never divorced. Yet their kids act just like mine - and in fact they're even worse. I think my kids are little more independent BECAUSE of the divorce. They've had to learn to do more on their own than their cousins have, so they're able to cook, clean and do laundry......that is if they choose to.

So anyway, the reasons are varied and complex. I've read that it's not just in the U.S. that this generation behaves this way. Europe and Japan have noticed similar traits in people of this generation.

I'm sorry if this comes across as labeling or a stereotype. I don't see anything wrong with noticing something and discussing it. True not everyone of that generation has these traits, but certainly enough of them to do make it worth noting.

[oramar]

There could be another reason for all this business about boomers and X'ers and Y'ers(what you are calling M here). It could be a very good way for a bunch of people who practice pseudo science to make a living writing books and giving lectures. The whole thing could be a crock of bull. I saw a mathamatician on tv use that term pseudo science to describe psycology and sociology. He said that a science is not a science unless multiple experiments showed the exact same results. He said most experiements in these so called sciences got wildly varying results that were subjective at best. Am I interested in the generational research, sure I am. However, when I look at individuals it just melts away. Sometimes I wonder if it even exist at all.

[banditrn]

I'm of the 'Boomer' generation, I guess, but didn't go back to school until the mid 80's, so I wasn't around when nurses had to be subservient to doctors.

I was also 'raised up' by a couple of excellent supervisors that encouraged us to be autonomous in our practice. Those two should have been cloned.

I've seen the difference between generations - I worked with an older nurse who let a doctor get away with yanking her around a patient's room, and she wouldn't report it - she said she was afraid of losing her job!! If it were me, that never would have happened. I see that attitude more with the older nurses - the younger ones would never tolerate being man-handled.

On the other hand, I seen a few younger ones who will not listen to 'the voice of experience' and end up doing stupid things thru their lack of experience.

All in all, tho, I think most of us have to be taken on an indiividual basis.