It’s often said that millennials are among the most disadvantaged generations, and this isn’t just a hyperbole, despite what older generations may believe. One crucial aspect that seems to escape those before us is that our generation has witnessed the most rapid changes in the world. The millennial cohort encompasses those born from 1981 to 1996, but those of us born after 1985 represent a particularly unique segment, having grown up at the dawn of the 21st century and the explosion of technology.
One characteristic often criticized in millennials is our reliance on smartphones. It’s true that we embrace technology extensively, using it for far more than just work purposes. We were early adopters of mobile technology, which is why our parents often turn to us for tech support. However, we also have vivid memories of a pre-smartphone era. I got my first home computer at age 13—the nostalgic sound of dial-up internet still resonates with me. My first cell phone was a prepaid “brick” model, necessary for commuting to a distant high school, and it wasn’t until I was 20 that I finally got a real cell phone plan.
The Role of Social Media
Social media plays a pivotal role in millennial culture. Although we didn’t create platforms like Facebook, we were among the first to fully engage with them. My school introduced Facebook in 2004, just as I started my freshman year. I remember the days when there was no timeline, no status updates, only direct messages. The evolution of Facebook mirrors our generational journey, transitioning from a college-exclusive space to one dominated by older users, which stripped away its initial charm.
As millennials, particularly those of us born after 1985, we’ve transformed social media into an art form, influencing pop culture along the way. My partner, born in 1980, straddles the line between Gen X and Millennial, and while she’s not clueless, I’ve had to explain terms like “stan” and “Netflix and chill” to her, highlighting our generational gaps.
Empathy vs. Apathy
Unlike Gen X, known for a sense of apathy, millennials embody empathy—especially those of us born in the latter half of the ’80s. Our adolescence is marked by significant trauma, such as the events of September 11, 2001, which changed the world as we knew it. Many of us graduated into the 2008 recession, which drastically altered our career paths. We followed society’s expectations, only to find the landscape shifting dramatically beneath us.
Our collective experiences shape our culture and perspectives, often leading to feelings of frustration when our struggles are dismissed. We navigate adulthood in a world that often infantilizes us, yet we carry responsibilities like student loans, careers, and families. As we grow older, we’re still perceived as the younger generation, though we have much to offer.
Nostalgia and Bridging Generations
It’s natural for us to seek comfort in our nostalgic ’90s childhoods, sharing those experiences with the next generation. While the world evolves, we continue to bridge the gap between the past and present, facing challenges head-on.
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In summary, those born between 1985 and 1995 are part of a generation that has experienced profound cultural shifts, technological advancements, and significant global events. Navigating adulthood in a world that often overlooks their struggles, millennials have uniquely shaped the landscape of today’s society.
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