Editorial

Millennial independence

1/31/2010

To obtain and maintain a controlling interest in their future, it is imperative members of the Millennial generation learn the art of independence.

As Millennials prepare to enter what is jokingly referred to as the "real world," it is crucial they do so independently of their Baby Boomer and Generation X parents.

In all realms of the animal kingdom, it is natural instinct for parents to protect their young. However, as the child grows, these degrees of protection must change as well.

At the college level, it is unacceptable for parents to contact professors on their student's behalf. When a bad mark facilitates an enraged call from mom, or a tough hour of practice prompts dad to contact the coach, concern has become overprotection.

Most parents will fight this charge and attribute their actions to parental duty. While there may be some relevance to this claim during the K-12 years, by college, students must cut the last strands of the proverbial apron strings or risk alienating teachers, friends and future employers.

When a student earns the right to vote, so too, do they earn the right to make decisions for their personal welfare, independent of parental input. At this point, parents become consultants, rather than administrators in the course of their child's life.

The title of overprotective parent does not refer to every American mom and dad, but for those who are deserving of such distinction, action must be taken immediately.

Few parents will readily embrace their child's transition to adulthood, so it falls to the children, i.e. Millennials, to assert their independence.

Such action is further challenged by the lethargy associated with the age of technology.

It is a common misconception for the children of Google, cell phones, fast tap credit cards and other means of instant gratification that they deserve everything.

When Google and T9 can take the effort out of having to finish one's own thoughts and online worlds can offer the self-gratification of success, what more can a generation want?

Thanks to the hard work and determination of their parents, Millennials have been given opportunities of which previous generations did not even dream.

According to the Pew Research Center, Millennials are the first generation in human history who regard behaviors such as tweeting and texting as well as Web sites such as Facebook and Wikipedia as everyday parts of life, rather than brilliant digital inventions.

Yet, the children who inherited this awesome existence have a tendency to take these opportunities for granted. Morbid as it is, soon the Baby Boomers and Generation Xers will no longer have the means to supply their Millennials with success.

The Millennial generation will have to rely solely on its members' abilities and ingenuity with the aid of, rather than dependence on, technology. Until Millennials assert their independence, control of their future will continue to escape their grasp.

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