What’s behind our collective obsession with Millennials?
They are treated like some exotic new animal at the zoo, in the news every hour of every day
This weekend I made a mindful attempt to be mindful — to breathe and relax.
I connected with friends, walked through the woods and tried to not think of it as “forest bathing,” as so many are wont to do, these days.
It’s hiking, OK? Actually, the way I do it can’t even be considered hiking, but more like strolling through the woods.
But the term “forest bathing”? I just can’t with that expression. It’s a loose translation of a term coined by the Japanese government in the ’80s to describe “taking in the forest atmosphere,” according to a story in the Washington Post that also claims “forest bathing” is the new yoga. But “forest bathing” — the name, not the act — is so precious, so … unnecessarily frilly. Why can’t we say “taking in the forest atmosphere”? Or “going to the woods, see ya later”? Or “I can’t stand to look at you anymore, get out of my way, I’m going for a walk”?
Obviously, the weekend of chilling out did wonders for my outlook.
Which is why, I suppose, my head exploded when I read a story in the National Post that claims Millennials dislike the term “Millennials.” Scratch that — they don’t merely dislike it, they find it offensive.
“In focus groups conducted for Employment and Social Development Canada, researchers determined earlier this year the word elicits ‘strong negative connotations’ and is ‘considered derogatory and insulting to this generation,’” reports the national newspaper.
Right. Of course they do. Has there ever been, in the history of the universe, a generation that is so discussed, whose every move, every thought is so dissected and analyzed, who is so collectively pitied and reviled?
Do a quick search on Google and you’ll learn from just about every newspaper and news service in Canada that Millennials (the exact age range is undetermined but it broadly includes those born between 1983 and 2000) can’t afford to buy their first homes! Almost all point to Toronto, where the average home price now hovers around $732,000.
Millennials love avocados! Millennials love avocado lattes! Millennials value experiences and travel over owning things! Millennials are less religious! Want to attract Millennials to your workplace? Or “What Every Manager Should Know About Recognizing Their Millennial Employees,” screams a recent Forbes headline. Talk about precious … So let’s get a few things straight, starting with home ownership. Raise your hand if you can afford a $700,000 fixer upper. Come on, get those hands up. Yes, I’m talking to all you Gen-Xers and Baby Boomers who have been working at your respective jobs, building your careers and all that for many years. You people who might have Millennialaged kids, who have no kids or small kids or a bunch of dogs and cats.
Why are we collectively obsessing over how a bunch of 25-yearolds can’t buy $700,000 fixer uppers? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Wouldn’t it be weird if they could?
Let’s go back to that Google search. Type “Millennials” into the News column. The most recent story was posted 25 minutes ago. Then an hour ago. Then two hours ago. News services are posting stories about Millennials like they’re some exotic new animal at the zoo, quite literally every hour of every day.
All of us old fogeys trying so hard to get into the psyche of 25- and 30year-olds, of the first generation of kids who were not told to suck it up, who were told they are super extra special, no matter what anyone says.
And now they (or a select few) find the term “Millennials” to be offensive, that it brings with it a negative connotation, as if the moniker is a blanket descriptor for a group of young people who whine over slices of $10 avocado toast and about not being able to afford a $700,000 fixer upper in downtown Toronto. Which may or may not be the case.
Regardless, it’s true that it’s unfair to paint an entire generation with that brush. But still.
Oh wait. How many Baby Boomers work in media? And is it possible they’re writing and assigning stories about their own kids? And the kids are rebelling against their parents by screaming, “leave me alone”? That might explain the semi-obsession with them.
Otherwise, I really just don’t get it.
And I must say, for once it feels good to be a forgotten Gen-Xer.