One of the major reasons we're both single, had rocky friendships and relationships in the past, and LOVE to write, read, and social media is that we (not unlike many of the others of millennial generation) were raised by the previous generation that "Children are to be SEEN and NOT heard". Our voices,opinions,questions,and ideas were silenced. We were never taught how to communicate verbally , one-on-one. Alot of us turned to writing (and other things) to express our selves... starting with Forums, Myspace,IM, texting, blogs, Facebook Statues,Tweets...It's a silenced generation's way of SCREAMING, trying to share their thoughts and ideas, happy and sad moments, and find some way to connect with the world around them that has, for the most part, shut them up--and out.
I found an article that describes Gen Y-ers as "Those born between 1981 and 1994. Common put-downs include ... "internet-addicted" and "lonely" ."
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/talkin-bout-my-label-20110720-1ho7s.html#ixzz36FgehODD
Yes,Jane,we are lonely... but not because we CHOOSE to be.We might be internet-addicted, but we're also community-deprived. We've very rarely had a chance to let our voice be heard...so we do it the ONLY way we know how.
Should we put down the phone,and speak to the person across the table? ABSOLUTELY. But I can say from personal experience, most of the times I try to coordinate a social gathering with my peers, everyone's busy...or it's awkward because everyone's so self-conscious because they think they're being judged...so authenticity is lost. It gets frustrating being the facilitator all the time. We either give up trying to connect,or turn to performing, losing ourselves in the quest to gain a "IRL*" connection. Our generation has created a sub-culture of Social Media , out of almost necessity, Further isolating us. We use stuff such as TBT*, TBH*, #hashtags, FF*, LMS*, and HMU*, that the generation above us have no clue what means.
Those following under us, the generation looking up to us as leaders? They want to be the exact same as us, and some have a sense of entitlement. They think they're entitled to a iPhone at 10,or even 8! Pre-teens snapchatting a random stranger, posting Skimpy #Selfies...because that's what their 25 year old sister did! Just trying to be accepted,and trying to find SOMEWHERE to fit in and their voice be heard ... and appreciated.
Millennials, Please let me know...surely these aren't random,isolated cases? Does this ring a bell? Can you relate? What have you seen done to rectify this situation? What ideas do you have? Your voice is being heard...speak up,speak out!
*In Real Life, Throwback Thursday, To Be Honest ,Follow Friday, Like My Status, Hit Me Up
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