Millennials: The Lost Generation?

by Kyle McMahon (Elyk Studios Photography)
From New Castle County Young Professionals Network blog.

So we’re Millennials. We keep hearing that term over and over and over. By definition, its those born between 1978 and 1998 (although some say 1980-2000 & others say 1980-1995). We are the last generation born before the turn of the century. We “grew up” (& many of us are still growing up) during the new millennium. But what does the term really mean? What does it mean as a basis for defining who we are and how our life is up to this point?

Sure, we were the first ones to use DVDs, download our music, laugh at Spongebob, and essentially get through school thanks to computers – but shouldn’t these things have given us an advantage over our parents generation? You would think so, but the numbers are telling a different story.  While more Millennials are enrolled in or graduated from college then any previous generation, we also have the most student loan debt per person than any previous generation. 4 out of 10 of us live at home with parents and that number is rising quickly.  Real unemployment for Millennials is currently 12.8% and was as high as 28% in 2011. When we do find work, it’s often low paying jobs or having to take a lower salary then the previous generation for the same position (with more of a workload). 76% of Millennials have put off marriage altogether. As of 2011, 21% of 18 – 34 year olds are currently married.

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