Today, I had the absolute pleasure of recording a podcast with the brilliant Jess and Claude from the Work Besties Who Podcast. During our conversation, we touched on something that’s been buzzing in my mind for a while: the curious case of generational entitlement and the differences we’re seeing in today’s youth. As someone who bounces between being an educator, coach, mentor, and a therapist (seriously, I’m basically the Swiss Army knife of personal development), I often find myself caught between frustration and fascination when observing the behaviors of younger generations.
So, what have I noticed?
First, let’s start with a silver lining. One thing I do admire about the emerging generation is their uncanny ability to self-advocate. They’ve got this skill down to a science—something the previous generations, raised on self-sacrifice and “tough it out” mantras, could only dream of. It’s refreshing to see individuals speak up for themselves and take charge of their needs. I was the sucker holding my urine working in the ER for 12 long hours with no bio break sometimes.
But—and you knew there was a “but”—there’s also a bit of a gap when it comes to critical thinking, which, in my opinion, is a direct byproduct of living in a world of instant gratification. We’re talking fast food, fast Wi-Fi, fast results—and as much as that’s convenient, it’s also a bit of a crutch. Take this real-world example: a college student emails their professor asking which chapters to read, even though—wait for it—it’s clearly listed on the syllabus. It’s almost like the idea of doing the work or finding the answer yourself has been replaced with “Hey, I’ll just shoot off an email and hope for the best.” And when the response isn’t immediate? Cue the second email, followed by blaming the professor for not catering to their needs right away. Accountability? I guess, it's optional now.
Now, before you grab your pitchforks, let me clarify: I’m not here to shame or blame. We’ve all been there, right? Growing up in a world of immediacy is something this generation knows inside and out. It’s not their fault they’ve been handed a system where everything is one click or swipe away.
But let’s talk about that accessibility culture, shall we? With everything being so readily available, there’s this odd downside: a dip in endurance. Why push through a challenge when there’s always a shortcut or a replacement just around the corner? If you can’t get your way in one direction, why not find another avenue or, better yet, demand an accommodation? Why tough it out when you don’t have to?
Here’s where things get interesting, though. It’s easy to point fingers and say, “This generation just doesn’t get it.” But hold on a second—let’s zoom out. There’s a reason this culture has emerged. Older generations, in their struggle to survive, built a world where convenience was the lifeline. And like the pendulum always does, it’s swinging back the other way. The younger generations didn’t ask for this, but they’re dealing with their own set of challenges, ones the older folks may not have faced.
Take the economy, for example. Today’s youth are being hit with astronomical housing prices, making homeownership feel out of reach. Meanwhile, older generations are watching their homes increase in value, benefiting from a market they had a hand in shaping. While, accessibility may be easier in some areas, but financial access? That’s a whole different animal.
Now, before we get caught in the weeds, here’s the thing: the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Every generation has its struggles—sometimes they’re just different struggles. As triggering as some of today’s youth behaviors may seem, maybe it’s time we take a step back and ask ourselves: Why does this bug me so much? Is it because it reminds me of opportunities I missed? Is it because it’s forcing me to confront things in myself I’m too scared to change? Or maybe these triggers are a sign that we’ve got something to offer. Maybe it’s time to give back and help make this world a little more balanced, a little more rounded, for everyone.
So, let’s cut each other some slack and remember: everyone’s got their battles and their areas of opportunity.
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