Generation Y College Students

All about the technology savvy demographic born between 1977-1997

Oct 12, 2006 Naomi Rockler-Gladen

Who are these young, cynical, down-to-business college students who inhabit today's college campuses?

If you are a college student, you’re probably part of Generation Y. This refers to people born approximately between 1977 and 1997. In much of the world, Generation Y has become the largest demographic group. Why? Because most members of Generation Y are children of Baby Boomers, who are the group of people born during the post World War II population explosion between 1946 and 1966.

So, what does it mean to be a part of Generation Y? Here are some typical characteristics of this group.

• Generation Y is extremely comfortable with technology. This is the first generation that has no real memory of life without computers, cell phones, and digital music, and members of Generation Y laugh at people who don’t have these technologies. Walk around any college campus between classes, and you might see half of the students talking on their phones or listening to their iPods (or doing this during class, which drives professors crazy).
• Generation Y is cynical. Baby Boomers started out optimistic and political involved, but became disillusioned during the turbulent 1960s. Generation Y started out disillusioned. They came of age during events such as 9/11 and the Monica Lewinsky scandal, and have little trust in government or other authority figures.
• Generation Y has a non-existent attention span. College students have always gotten bored easily, but the attention span of this group is especially low. This is a generation of remote controls, hyperlinks, and MTV. Professors have their work cut out for them.
• Generation Y loves consumerism. Advertisers love Generation Y because they are such a large demographic group, and because young people are easier to market to than older ones. Thus, Generation Y has grown up accustomed to businesses trying to win their favor. In the U.S., this is the first generation who grew up with advertisements all over their high schools and fast food in the school cafeteria.
• Generation Y is more diverse than previous generations. Throughout much of the world, young people have grown up accustomed to racial and religious integration, and more and more people are of mixed race or ethnicity. This generation grew up watching Will and Grace, and homosexuality has won more acceptance than ever before.
• Generation Y is used to chaos. Young people today expect they will have to deal with a confusing global economy, political crises, and social transformations. But unlike previous generations, they are used to this. They expect to have multiple careers, homes, and social circles throughout their lifetimes. This generation follows the REM motto: “It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine.”

Related articles:

• Technology and college education
• MySpace and Facebook in the lives of college students

Any thoughts on Generation Y? Leave them in the discussion!

The copyright of the article Generation Y College Students in Campus Life is owned by Naomi Rockler-Gladen. Permission to republish Generation Y College Students in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

The iPod, necessary accessory of Generation Y.

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