The Millennials

Born between 1982 and 2000, this generation is the largest ever in American history with some 80 million members. They are also the most diverse generation this nation has ever encountered, with overall non whites and Latinos accounting for 37% of people under the age of 20 in 2002. Also, 20% of the Millennials have at least one immigrant parent while 10% have a parent who is not a US citizen.

Millennials are smart and probably the most all-around capable teenagers yet. SAT scores are the highest they have been in 30 years. The number of students enrolled in Advanced Placement Courses is at an all-time high and the number of students who enroll directly into college after high school graduation has increased 30 percentage points since 1975. Millennials are pragmatic achievers. This generation is aware of the necessity of college education to get ahead in life and many see academic achievement as essential to future success and happiness.

This generation has been sheltered. They have grown up in a "kid-friendly" world populated by child-safety latches, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, school uniforms, and zero tolerance policies. They are also known to have strong emotional bonds with their parents, who tend to be categorized as "helicopter parents." These are parents who are "always hovering, ultra-protective and somewhat unwilling to let go." Hence, Millennials seem to have developed respect for authority and established rules.

Millennials are also no strangers to stress. They have been encouraged to do well in school by their parents and they encounter cut-throat competition from their peers. Across the board, this new generation reports that they spend more and more time on schoolwork and school activities, attending extracurricular events and volunteering, and less and less time on sleep.

Taken from Haworth, Jennifer Grant & Sandfort, Mellisa H. Millennials on Campus: They're Here. Now What? IACAC, On Second Thought. January 2005.

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