Generation Y - Hows this gonna play out

[Josh]

Disclaimer: I am fully aware there are acceptions to this observation.

I just saw a video on generation Y and the impact they will have on the business world. The majority of generation Y has been raised being told they are special and were never told no. Pretty much absolute focus and priority put on them. They have grown up almost completely void of consequences of their actions and lacking responsibilities.

So now this generation is ready to start work and they expect everything to be their way or they are gonna leave. The video talked about how managers need to learn new techniques to manage Gen Y. A generation who has never been on the loosing side of anything. Little league championships where everyone is given an medal and nobody is the looser. Schooling where everyone is equalized out and made excuses for. Basically the video said managers had to tip toe around and praise everyone even if they suck at their job. (shakes head in disgust)

I feel like our nation has lost pride in what they do and putting in a hard days work and feeling good about what they have accomplished. Work ethic is a lost concept, its all about self promotion and what they can get, not what they can contribute.

So we ask ourselves why do the trades have such a hard time replenishing the workforce as we move forward... I just don't think anyone wants to really work anymore. And if they do they want to make huge money for as little effort as possible.

Countries like India are already outworking us in some business areas, China is outproducing us, Japan is making far superior autos at lower prices. So how does this play into the trades. Is this where labor starts coming in from MX that is willing to work hard?

Any thoughts to add? Is my concern unfounded? Has this been the view of every new generation coming up?

[garager]

Oh I would have a lot to say about this. However the words that I would use, would have my post canceled/deleted. This does make me angry, but what makes it worse, is China is building a car factory in Mexico. How in the world, can they find cheaper workers then they're own slave labor/children. I believe they plan on selling cars in 2008, in the good old USA. I have always owned US automobiles, Ford, Chevy, Dodge, even if I had to pay more. Because this is what being Americans is about, take care of your own. Now all that is gone, and the dang Arabs are buying up our Banks and Properties. Ok, I better shut up, or I'm going to look awfully stupid shortly. But our own country needs to F---ing wake up, and start being wiser and more American. We also need to stop the pampering of our children, but we don't need to go to Woussko extent... :D:D:D

Just a little humor there Woussko, don't slap me w/your whip.... :eek: :D

[Woussko]

I refuse to fully express myself on how I feel about this matter. It is very serious and I believe that only a real act of God can save the USA. Maybe it's just me but anymore I see far more illegal immigrants working than I do people that I think might have been born here regardless of race. When people with jobs don't begin to know English that's bad news. What's even worse is if a well educated person born in the USA and where his/her parents are educated and they were born here went and applied for the jobs he/she would be turned away.

As for respect and control all I can say is that maybe we better go dig up every good USMC drill instructor we can and bring them into schools. I really wonder if the problem children and young adults isn't that they have no self respect or respect for anyone at all.

It's very sad when I hear young adults talking and they know fewer than 10 words and the words they know are all vulgar ones.

Woussko: SHUT UP NOW or you'll be in big trouble for venting again.

[mrs. westcoast]

I refuse to express myself on how I feel about this matter. It is very serious and I believe that only a real act of God can save the USA. Maybe it's just me but anymore I see far more illegal immigrants working than I do people that I think might have been born here regardless of race. When people with jobs don't begin to know English that's bad news. What's even worse is if a well educated person born in the USA and where his/her parents are educated and they were born here went and applied for the jobs he/she would be turned away.

As for respect and control all I can say is that maybe we better go dig up every good USMC drill instructor we can and bring them into schools. I really wonder if the problem children and young adults isn't that they have no self respect or respect for anyone at all.

It's very sad when I hear young adults talking and they know fewer than 10 words and the words they know are all vulgar ones.

Woussko: SHUT UP NOW or you'll be in big trouble for venting again.

Lol, I knew you have a double personality:eek::p

[Josh]

It really scares me looking at how well our country consumes product but how little it produces and it keeps declining. We may be converting into a "service society" but man... We just don't have any substance anymore. Right now the US runs the show as the world super power but I could see a chain of events that looses us that position. It may be crazy to think that way but man... todays kids own everything and feel that its their God given right to do so. Theres just no balance.

I decided to post this after reading an article about my wife's grandfather and his military experiences and how he worked hard to provide for his family how he had gone through some really tough times and showed some true grit. Then you walk through a mall and kids feel like they can cus at adults and get away with it... I am a pretty good sized guy and I walk home from work most of the time. I have had a 10 year old swear at me and stand their ground as I walk by just to prove how cool he is. No respect whatsoever.

Ok... I gotta get off my soapbox... BTW> none of my views represent the views of the Ridge Tool Company ;)

[Bob D.]

Oh I would have a lot to say about this. However the words that I would use, would have my post canceled/deleted. This does make me angry, but what makes it worse, is China is building a car factory in Mexico. How in the world, can they find cheaper workers then they're own slave labor/children. I believe they plan on selling cars in 2008, in the good old USA. I have always owned US automobiles, Ford, Chevy, Dodge, even if I had to pay more. Because this is what being Americans is about, take care of your own. Now all that is gone, and the dang Arabs are buying up our Banks and Properties. Ok, I better shut up, or I'm going to look awfully stupid shortly. But our own country needs to F---ing wake up, and start being wiser and more American. We also need to stop the pampering of our children, but we don't need to go to Woussko extent... :D:D:D

Just a little humor there Woussko, don't slap me w/your whip.... :eek: :D

I don't think you look or sound stupid at all. I feel the same on the issues you raised and more, but I don't have time to get into them now, I'm off to another evening class. Maybe tomorrow.

[mrs. westcoast]

It really scares me looking at how well our country consumes product but how little it produces and it keeps declining. We may be converting into a "service society" but man... We just don't have any substance anymore. Right now the US runs the show as the world super power but I could see a chain of events that looses us that position. It may be crazy to think that way but man... todays kids own everything and feel that its their God given right to do so. Theres just no balance.

I decided to post this after reading an article about my wife's grandfather and his military experiences and how he worked hard to provide for his family how he had gone through some really tough times and showed some true grit. Then you walk through a mall and kids feel like they can cus at adults and get away with it... I am a pretty good sized guy and I walk home from work most of the time. I have had a 10 year old swear at me and stand their ground as I walk by just to prove how cool he is. No respect whatsoever.

Ok... I gotta get off my soapbox... BTW> none of my views represent the views of the Ridge Tool Company ;)

In Croatia kids are not like that. Parents are very strict even when you are 20 y old and going to med school to become a doctor, youj listen to parents and respect their advices. Their opinion privails more then their own. Children are raised manners since they are infants, parents giving grown up advices since they are 7 y old. The whole school system is different. English is primary subject in primary school when you are 7 y old, when you are 8 you need to choose second language german or italian. All grades you have in primary school they will enter you to a college.If you have all A's then you can go to med school,become a lawyer etc...If you don't you will never have an opportunity to have an axcellent paying job, THAT IS WHY WHEN CHILDREN ENTER THIER FIRST GRADE parents make take care of them having the best gardes possible throughought primary school so later they can have an option to choose what to do in life..

And not liek here..not matter of your grades,if parent shave money they go to college..here money plays a big role..

[ToUtahNow]

Keep in mind the USA has been moving further and further away from manufacturing (labor) jobs and more and more towards technical (brains) jobs for many many years. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing but we are now in a global economy and we cannot turn back.

Mark

[BadgerDave]

Don't need a whole lot of words here...........America will reap what it sows! Don't blame the Chinese, Mexicans, Arabs or anyone else for that matter, we did it to ourselves. I'm not sure if there will be an American Dream left in a generation or two.

[ToUtahNow]

I would say most are living the American Dream today and it does not appear to be changing anytime soon. The economy will always have a few bumps but overall it is strong. Home ownership and employment is higher than it has ever been and those who don't mind hustling a little to better themselves are able to do it. I would argue it is not the kids who are going to fail it is their parents who failed them already. If kids have a sense of entitlement they were not properly raised. Regardless of how successful we are in business our number one responsibility is to raise our children to be prepared for life.

Mark

[plumberscrack]

So what are we talking about here? The Gen Y'ers coming up through the ranks?. Can't blame them for the U.S. decline in the global market. That one falls squarly on us Gen Xers. We lost that edge 10 or more years ago. Did we mollycoddle our children too much and take away their competive drive...probably so. The Baby Boomers worked hard and were rewarded for their efforts. These work ethics were past along to us but technology has changed the way we teach our children and is reflected in their principles.

I have alot more to say but better let someone else get on the soapbox.

[garager]

Don't need a whole lot of words here...........America will reap what it sows! Don't blame the Chinese, Mexicans, Arabs or anyone else for that matter, we did it to ourselves. I'm not sure if there will be an American Dream left in a generation or two.

In no way am I blaming other countries. I'm blaming us for allowing so much outside products to be sold in the US, and we the American people are buying and buying foreign products.

The people here, don't want to spend more $$$$'s on American made products. I'm not saying all, but it does become difficult to pay 3 times as much for a similar product.

Union vs Slave labor products, now who is going to win there, when it comes down to sales?

Japanese kids are doing the school thing, that puts us to shame, and many other countries also. Whats it going to take, to get this nation thinking about us again and not lining their pockets and hiding.

[ToUtahNow]

Keep in mind we have several Gen Ys on this forum. Maybe we should judge the issue based on what they are doing. There are different views on what makes you a Gen Y but it seems the period between 77 and 94 at least fits in there. So who here is between 23 & 30-years old and what do you expect out of life?

Mark

[Josh]

I know we have some Gen Y'ers that I am proud of. Some are doing a heck of a job and are proud of their work. Aaron comes to mind. I do think it boils down too each generation being less and less equiped to properly raising their children.

I myself dont blame other countries. It falls squarely on the US. Other countries have the work ethic we had a half century ago.

Who knows maybe it will turn around some day. And maybe it isnt as big a problem as it seems.

This forum is a huge encouragement to me seeing people who really care about doing this the right way and conducting business with integrity.

Josh

[NailBanger]

Being a parent myself, it seems to me that society as a whole is responsible for the attitudes of the Gen Y'rs. Because of the economy, cost of living etc. the majority of families have been forced to have dual incomes in order to survive. I am sure that most of us were raised by a parent that stayed at home, whereas today our kids are being raised by daycare's or babysitters and then the educational system.

We shower our kids with affection and praise and trinkets to try and make up for the fact that we only see them for about 3 hours of the day.

I think we really should look long and hard at our society. When there was only one parent working and the other stayed at home the unemployment rate was lower and kids actually learned about values and work ethics. Instead of progressing I think we need to degress and learn from our fathers before us.

[Frankiarmz]

Josh, very thought provoking thread. I think there are two separate issues though one being how Gen Y was raised and their work ethics, manners and so forth and the US economy which would include loss of maunfacturing jobs, legislation like NAFTA, illegals and so much more than we have room to discuss. Can we as a nation survive primarily as service providers, a people who make nothing they consume? I know there are exceptions like produce, livestock and such. Will we get secured borders and deal with the illegals? I hate when people say one group of our youth is lazy and doesn't want to do certain jobs, just wants big money. I don't want to believe this, but I've seen it first hand. My last years as a Lineman included teaching many new guys who got the job, but most of them didn't even want to be there! They simply were passing through and could care less about the job, it made me sad in a way. I guess interest in the "Trades" will be renewed if and when jobs in other areas dry up? I kept hoping manufacturing jobs would come back but they're gone to slave labor. I don't have the money for a new car or truck with a kid in college but if I did I would not buy one. We will soon be paying $4.00 for a gallon of gasoline, that's what I'm saving for right now. How does this mess get turned around? Does being part of the Global economy mean we have to lower our standard of living until we are on par with the third world? The avertising industry has done their job well, we buy every piece of electronics they throw at us, ipods, plasma tv's, laptops, we are all guilty of this feeding frenzy. How about consumer debt? When does that bill come due? Aside from the economy and Gen Y being in turmoil we also have the over fifty percent failure rate of marriages which is not making things any better for our society. Josh, I have time on my hands being retired and I wonder the same thing everyday, "How is this gonna play out"? There's an old song and it's still real good advice "Teach your children well", make every effort you can to teach your children useful life lessons. You may not be able to have a hand in solving these big problems, but if you can raise one good person to adulthood, that's one more good person in our society. Protect them when necessary but let them know you won't have their back if they lie, cheat, steal or hurt others. Lead by example, nothing takes the place of being there, and on the subject of marriage maintain self respect and dignity. I wish you the time , the years to be a good Dad and the opportunity to see all this other stuff play out.;)

[ToUtahNow]

I don't know that the two working parent excuse always works. I believe we all make choices and set our own priorities. I'm sure it is valid in some cases but not all. None of my daughters or daughter-in-laws work with the exception of my single daughter who has no children. Because of this they probably drive older/fewer cars, own fewer televisions, live in smaller homes and have less discretionary income. One of my son-in-laws has two full time jobs so that my daughter can stay home with the kids.

I can't tell you how many young couples have told me how important it is they both work to pay their bills yet I see them with boats and motorcycles sitting in the yard and two new cars in the driveway. It often comes down to priorities.

Mark

[ToUtahNow]

Josh, very thought provoking thread. I think there are two separate issues though one being how Gen Y was raised and their work ethics, manners and so forth and the US economy which would include loss of maunfacturing jobs, legislation like NAFTA, illegals and so much more than we have room to discuss. Can we as a nation survive primarily as service providers, a people who make nothing they consume? I know there are exceptions like produce, livestock and such. Will we get secured borders and deal with the illegals? I hate when people say one group of our youth is lazy and doesn't want to do certain jobs, just wants big money. I don't want to believe this, but I've seen it first hand. My last years as a Lineman included teaching many new guys who got the job, but most of them didn't even want to be there! They simply were passing through and could care less about the job, it made me sad in a way. I guess interest in the "Trades" will be renewed if and when jobs in other areas dry up? I kept hoping manufacturing jobs would come back but they're gone to slave labor. I don't have the money for a new car or truck with a kid in college but if I did I would not buy one. We will soon be paying $4.00 for a gallon of gasoline, that's what I'm saving for right now. How does this mess get turned around? Does being part of the Global economy mean we have to lower our standard of living until we are on par with the third world? The avertising industry has done their job well, we buy every piece of electronics they throw at us, ipods, plasma tv's, laptops, we are all guilty of this feeding frenzy. How about consumer debt? When does that bill come due? Aside from the economy and Gen Y being in turmoil we also have the over fifty percent failure rate of marriages which is not making things any better for our society. Josh, I have time on my hands being retired and I wonder the same thing everyday, "How is this gonna play out"? There's an old song and it's still real good advice "Teach your children well", make every effort you can to teach your children useful life lessons. You may not be able to have a hand in solving these big problems, but if you can raise one good person to adulthood, that's one more good person in our society. Protect them when necessary but let them know you won't have their back if they lie, cheat, steal or hurt others. Lead by example, nothing takes the place of being there, and on the subject of marriage maintain self respect and dignity. I wish you the time , the years to be a good Dad and the opportunity to see all this other stuff play out.;)


Good post!

[Frankiarmz]

Mark, thanks for the positive comment. This was a huge topic. I agree with you post on choices too. I've gone without a lot of material things over the years so that either my wife or now I can be at home but so far it's paid off in other ways. Older kids can get into greater trouble than younger ones so I'm glad I'm here for my teenage daughter. She also knows Dad is always around to help her if she needs it or to keep her in line. I won't drag this out but so many of her friends go home to empty homes, broken homes. What does family even mean anymore?

[smorris]

I'm raising my kids like my folks raised me. I think they did a pretty good job of instilling respect, work ethic, responsibility, etc. and see no reason to change that.

My kids (daughters 19 and 10) don't have stuff given to them. If they want something, they have to buy it, either from jobs or birthday money. Once it's gone, wait until the next birthday... Neither got an allowance unless they actually did work for it. One chose to participate, and the other didn't. Their choice, but the choice has monetary consequences.

My daughter bought a 14 year old car when she was 15 with babysitting money and cash from birthdays. That didn't cover it all, so she paid it off monthly with interest. After she graduated, she thanked me. She saw all the kids in school getting brand new cars for 16th birthday or graduation, but also saw then trash them and treat them without any respect. She recognized what she had accomplished and was proud of it. My 10 year old is looking forward to buying my car when she can drive, which by then will be 11 years old. Smart kid. But she's not getting a 260HP turbocharged toy as a first car! ;)

I think they're turning out just fine. And I see a lot of kids like them. But I see a lot like Josh describes, too. Hopefully they'll see the light soon.