How Bleak is Our Future Under the Millennial Generation?

So far we survived the Baby Boomers and Generation X. How will we do under Generation Y?

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, have done the research and the results should be reassuring for those of us concerned about the future, according to an article at www.fastcoexist.

In Monitoring the Future, a long-term, nationally representative survey of 12th graders, researchers have reportedly found that today’s high schoolers are less materialistic and more community-minded than their predecessors. The Millennial Generation place less of an emphasis on material possessions than those who came just before them, according to the article. Children of the Millennial also are more likely to be environmentally conscious.

And what would the reason be for this community-minded attitude? The recession, researchers say. It appears there were some benefits to it after all. 

The article reports that recession-era kids are more likely to save energy in their homes, use public transport or bikes and even seemed more concerned about social inequality then those growing up in the previous generation. When times were good, it appears there was less concern about how others may be faring. Having to struggle a little ourselves may be just what the doctor ordered to foster compassion for our fellow man, or woman, as the case may be.

So what do you think? Do you feel more optimistic about the future under “the kids of today” than you did about it under the previous generation?

Note: Pew research puts Generation Y as born after 1980, Generation X as born between 1965 and 1980 and Baby Boomer Generation as born between 1946 and 1964. Those born between 1928 and 1945 are known as the Silent Generation.