So this brings us to the Millennial Question? Are they 'woke' snowflakes with poor concentration and a lack of drive? No, and the reason is down to one major thing: economics. Specifically the recession of 2008, which was a key ‘anchor moment’ - moments that may have a long-term and lasting impact. The fallout from this financial crisis has had a huge impact as most Millennials can't afford to get on the housing market, get pay rises or even save with the hope of buying in the future. There is a gig economy, which over 5 million people in the UK are in. Whilst it offers flexibility it doesn't have perks like pensions, pay rises due to a job well done etc... Through no fault of their own they've had to adapt.
They don't trust CEO’s who many see as still receiving bonuses even when everyone else suffers, for the most egregious example look no further than Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard, who even after a record breaking year for the company, made 900 staff members redundant whilst giving himself a huge pay bonus and the shareholders a large dividend.
For many Millennial there’s no hope of getting on the property ladder or getting a pay-rise in real world terms, so many are multi-tasking, taking on more than 1 main job, in fact 19% of Millennial have 2 or more jobs and this is set to rise. In fact, as a whole 57% of the 13 million households living in poverty in the UK have at least one person working in a job- they are the working poor.
So there you have it, Millennial aren't entitled or lazy (although some are, but give me a generation which doesn't have a few of those) but they are swimming against a current that they have no chance of beating. The old Protestant Work Ethic of 'Work sets you free' is no longer applicable in many cases, for those who do want to go to work but have children the prohibitive cost of childcare makes it financially unfeasible to go back to or find work. Those who can find work find that there is very little chance of saving for the future and live hand to mouth often.
The media will tell you its benefit scroungers with multiple kids who are screwing the system but I can say that as a part of a teaching couple with over 30 years experience between us, the cost of childcare for our two children means we can't afford it- and we have lived frugally. Now in a traditionally 'middle class' job and well regarded profession such as education that can't be right, and we live well within our means.
Anyways, as a Xennial I have to say, the situation is not clear cut, very few things are so can people stop reducing arguments back to basics, it’s unedifying.
As for the upcoming election, I’ll just leave this here.
