In the past several days I’ve had a number of conversations about the generation born in the 1970s. I’m trying to put together several of the “facts” and consider how one might go about engaging such a generation to look beyond themselves:
Some observations about Gen Me (see this site for more: http://www.generationme.org/index.html)
1. A generation raised in child-centered environments, probably by parents who were themselves latchkey kids. Even in college, their parents actively advocate for them to get all they are entitled to and to protect them from the consequences of their failures. Maybe this is why some students feel free to publicly criticize their teachers and to demand the best grade despite little work. Student-centered classrooms have much that is good, but also a downside.
2. A generation that is fully e-connected all the time. There is no down time away from media.
3. A consumer driven generation. No commitment or lasting connection needed to things larger than individuals. Go where the best experience will be. If not satisfied, look elsewhere. (They didn’t create this mindset, their parents did!)
4. A generation that isn’t going to do as well financially as their parents and so are not becoming adults until their late 20s–despite engaging in adult activities at a younger age than their parents (i.e., sex).
5. Like their parents, they aren’t particularly happy. But they don’t necessarily believe in finding themselves and maybe they aren’t as optimistic as their parents were about the future. And they are more aware of superficiality in leadership but willing to engage it via brief connections like texting.
Of course these observations are gross stereotypes. And they don’t mention the good advances such as the demand racial diversity.
But, how does the church connect to this generation? Why should they care about organized religion? Just some thoughts running through my head today.
Musings on Faith and Psychology 