generationbreakthrough.com

Yet another article came out today that generalizes all Gen Y-ers in an attempt to help others understand us. Perhaps we need a constant influx of such articles to be published, because no one knows what the term 'Y' means! If you ask me, or any other Gen Y-er, we don't know the answer either. So let's ditch the lame title, and create a better one.

I am surprisingly seldom offended by articles generalizing Gen Y. If generalizing helps people wrap their heads around us, then fine. This particular article from bMighy.com, titled Strategy Matters: Understanding Generation Y, gave a pretty well-rounded, observant description that covers a lot of ground. Read it, and let me know what you think. Am I crazy for agreeing with some of the points? 

However, there is a series of points concerning the title 'Generation Y' that I do not agree with, although I cannot blame it on this article alone. Seriously, though, what the heck is a Y?! I've heard many Generation Breakthroughs ask, "What does 'Generation Y' mean?" So it's about time we discuss what the 'Y' stands for!

Other than this funny cartoon from an SBYNews.com blog, the 'Y' stands for NOTHING! A friend even mentioned the other day that all the term "Generation Y" means to her is that we're merely defined as 'not Generation X'. Well that's not good enough for me, and I especially don't think it's good enough to inspire young people to come together as a generation.

I know we have other nicknames as well, like the Millennials, and the Internet (Net) Generation. Those nicknames at least give us something to grasp onto, but they are still not satisfying or legitimate definitions. I don't like "Millennials" because we weren't born in or after 2000; we simply lived through it like the three previous generations.

As far as the "Net Generation" goes, we may be the first generation to have the internet available in our youth, but I don't think that fact captures who we are. Not to mention, many of us weren't actually raised on computers. Unlike my niece and nephew, I didn't have a computer in the house until I was 11 years old. I vividly remember the challenge of learning how to use a computer. They were far more difficult to use back then, especially for a kid since they were primarily for adult use. 

Yes, the benefit of having the internet throughout most of our social and academic careers has drastically effected the way young people approach the world. However, there is much more to us than an obsession with Facebook, and an ability to quickly and easily access information. In part due to the internet, we are excited about making a difference, and using our skills, resources, and technologically enhanced educations to take on the world. We need a title that inspires, and brings us together. A title that symbolizes our generation. A title that means something.

So that is why we have redefined Generation Y as GENERATION BREAKTHROUGH. We are a group of people that are lucky enough to be able to take advantage of all that previous generations have built, and we're excited to have such an opportunity. We are Generation Breakthrough, because we are in a position to break down so many walls, and the massive use of the internet was the answer behind the first wall to be broken down: the barrier of restricted accessibility and information. We took on the internet, and were thus inspired to take on even more.

We don't need to define ourselves with words that either don't mean anything, or don't mean enough. In our lifetime, we will have a responsibility to break through the walls of politics, education, health care, corporations, and the workplace. Sometimes you have to make changes in order to keep things in working order, and defining ourselves as Generation Breakthrough states that we recognize our enormous roles in change and progress. 

Instead of being defined by the circumstances of our birth (like Boomers) or nothing at all (like Gen X), let's decide now to be defined by the great accomplishments we'll definitely oversee while we are at the helm of society. 

We believe Generation Breakthrough is a fitting description. What do you think?

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