Summary
Statistics indicate that at least one million Millenials are becoming mothers every year. Currently, Millenials account for the larger majority of yearly US births, but still wait longer to get into parenthood compared to prior generations. Despite delaying parenthood, it is not due to lack of interest in ultimately becoming mothers and fathers. A significant number of them believe that it is important for them to be good parents. For instance, a 2010 Pew Research Center survey established that 52% of them considered good parenting as one of the most crucial objectives in their lives, ahead of successful marriages (Livingston, 2018). Despite the generation they may belong, parents believe that bearing children is critical for their identity. A 2015 Pew Research Center Survey established that 60% of Millenials believe that being a parent was crucial for their identity (Livingston, 2018). Many Millenials who are parents remain confident regarding their parenting abilities. Also, they appear to have more fun with parenting compared to the older generations. The reason for this is that many Millenials have less likelihood of having older children compared to prior generations’ parents.
Dimock (2018) contends that generations offer the chance to examine Americans by their position in the lifecycle, and membership within a cohort of people born at the same time. Generational cohorts provide researchers with a tool for analysing changes in opinions. A Millennial is perceived as any individual born between 1981 and 1996, while people born thereafter belong to another generation. Dimock (2018) further believes that 1996 is a substantial generational cutoff separating Millenials from post-Millenials for various reasons, including major socioeconomic and political factors, which define the formative years of the Millennial generation. Recession significantly influenced Millenials’ life choices, and their future earnings in a way that could be different for younger counterparts. Technology is a major generational cutoff between the generations as Baby Boomers grew up as TV significantly expanded, altering their lifestyles in substantial ways. On the other hand, Generation X began growing up in a computer revolution era, while Millenials grew up during the internet explosion era. The unique aspect for Millenials is that they have experienced all these aspects in their lives.
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Furthermore, the “Generation Gap in American Politics” article suggests that there are broad and increasing divergent opinions on racial discrimination. US politics has always been dominated by generational differences, including the issues of immigration, foreign policy and race. Currently, these divisions are considered as the widest they have been for a long period, with the potential of influencing politics into the future. However, Gen X members and Millenials are unique from the Baby Boomers and Silents as depicted in the political preferences of these generations (People Press, 2018). Millenials are the most liberal and democratic among the adult generations. They have more likelihood of identifying with the Democratic Party. In addition, many Millenials compared to other older generational cohorts favour Democratic candidates in the midterm congressional elections. There are also generational differences in attitudes towards politics. Millenials remain the most proponents of same-sex marriage, then Generation X, Boomers and Silents (People Press, 2018). However, all the four generational cohorts remain supportive of lesbians and gays having permission to marry legally. Contrarily, on numerous other issues, there has been an increase in divisions in these generations. The last few years have been characterized by increasingly divergent views on racial discrimination. The overall statistics regarding the black people is that 49% believe they are responsible for their problems and condition, whereas 41% believe that discrimination is the major contributor of blacks not getting ahead today. Despite these perspectives, the proportion arguing that racial discrimination is the major impediment for the progress of blacks is at its highest for more than 20 years. The interesting aspect is that the views of Silents remained unchanged during this period. Fifty per-cent of white Millenials believe that racial discrimination is the major reason that many blacks cannot progress.
There is also variance in the pattern of political attitudes across an array of issues. Perspectives about whether immigrants burden or strengthen the nation have shifted to a positive direction recently, but as with viewpoints of racial discrimination, they are still divided. Since 2015, each generation has increasingly become more supportive of the notion that immigrants strengthen the US. However, only 47% of Silents believe that immigrants strengthen the country (People Press, 2018). Stark generational differences also exist regarding foreign policy, and whether the US is superior to other nations globally. Millenials have the most likelihood of expressing the opinion that good diplomacy is the best way of ensuring peace. On the other hand, Silents are least likely to argue that good diplomacy is instrumental for ensuring peace. Regarding Generation X, about 59% of them and 50% of Boomers argue that peace can be brought about by good diplomacy instead of military strength (People Press, 2018). Millenials and Silents also significantly differ regarding the relative standing of the US globally, whereas Generation Xers and Boomers have similar opinions. Whereas fairly significant proportions of all generations argue that the US is among the best nations in the world, Silents have higher likelihood of arguing that it is above others, with Millenials being the least likely.
Review and Opinion of the Phenomena
Many arguments expressed by the authors in the three articles are accurate and valid. It is an interesting fact that despite Millenials waiting longer to become parents compared to other generations, they still hold parenthood as quite important for them. They believe that it is their responsibility to become great parents, and the Pew Research findings provide crucial insight that contrary to misconceptions, Millenials will raise parents responsibly. There have been arguments made that Millenials are largely irresponsible and may not raise their children in an appropriate way. However, the study findings demystify this notion, and provide evidence that Millenials could be better parents compared to previous generations. This is critical for the development of children as Millenials embrace an open-minded, and appreciate that raising children appropriately requires the use of a multi-pronged approach. With numerous books and availability of the Internet, they can access sufficient information that can make them better parents. Having been raised in a technology-dominated period, the Internet also equips them with various parenting ideas, as well as culturally diverse perspectives that parents can consider when coming up with a customized approach to family life.
Dimock (2018) provides insight that generations and generational differences provide a foundation for examining Americans by the opinions that they hold. The article clearly defines the various generational cohorts and expectations in each group. However, its definition about Millenials differs slightly from the definitions provided in other sources. This difference is mainly brought about by a lack of consensus regarding the generational cut-offs. Technology has significantly affected generations, with Silents being left out. It is true that recession affected the life choices of all generations, but Millenials were the most affected. Among these generations, the Silent generation members appear to have the most unique differences.
The “Generation Gap in American Politics” article offers critical insight on the divergent views of the various generations on various issues. Whereas the US has had generational differences, the article suggests that these divisions are widest than ever before. It is agreeable that there are diverse opinions on politics and issues in America today. Millenials are unique in their views, but the problem with them as young voters is mainly participation. The negative views they hold about the government, and the mainstream political parties has resulted in low turnouts during previous elections, particularly midterm elections. When voting, they mainly identify with the Democratic party candidates despite not self-identifying with the party. Until they turn out well in future elections, many politicians will continue ignoring them. It is uncertain on how they will respond to the Trump administration that is characterized by a politically-volatile atmosphere. However, it could be argued that 2018 or 2020 could be the turning point for them as they experience higher participation rates. They could begin dominating politics, and there is need for the country to be ready for this change. With their liberal and democratic nature, their attitudes could become the foundation for future politics as many of them increasingly become active in politics. Therefore, the country should prepare for a future dominated by Millenials and their liberal view.
References
Dimock, M. (2018). Defining generations: Where Millennials end and post-Millennials begin. Accessed on October 28, 2018. <http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/03/01/defining-generations-where-millennials-end-and-post-millennials-begin/>
Livingston, G. (May 4, 2018). More than a million Millennials are becoming moms each year . Pew Research. Accessed on October 28, 2018 from <http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/05/04/more-than-a-million-millennials-are-becoming-moms-each-year/>
People Press (2018). The Generation Gap in American Politics . Accessed on October 28, 2018 from <http://www.people-press.org/2018/03/01/the-generation-gap-in-american-politics/>
