We Are. . . The MillennialsLeaving our Fingerprints on The World

By: Juliann Whittaker & Edward Rocco

Questions

• Who “belongs” in the Millennial Generation?

• What are the characteristics of Millennials?

• What are their priorities?

• What events shaped this generation and what are their lasting effects?

The Millennial Generation:Who Belongs?

• Generation Y

• Born from 1981-1999

• Sometimes referred to as “The Good News Generation”

Defining Characteristics

• Liberal

• Group Oriented

• Pressured

• Less Religious

Liberal

• More Millennials identify themselves as liberals than any other generation

• Strongest supporters of Barack Obama

• Less prejudice than parent generations

• Only 32% of millennials are opposed to gay couples raising children

Source: Pew Research Center surveys

Democratic Advantage Narrows Among Millennial Voters (%)

Group Oriented

• Generally enjoy group work and “team” projects

• Learn best through social interaction

Pressured

• Accustomed to a high pace, nonstop daily schedule from birth

• Pushed to succeed and achieve the highest standards and opportunities by parents

• Must multi-task to succeed and accomplish the large amount they “take on”

Less Religious

• According to Pew Research Center, 1 in 4 Millennials has no religious affiliation

• Lower attendance rate to religious services

• Less likely to view religion as a priority

• Pray less often than elders

Priorities

• Education

• Family

• Fitness

Education

• On the verge of becoming most educated generation

• Currently, 1 in 5 has a college degree, but an expected 56% more millennials will receive one, compared to the only 50% of Generation X

• Value education due to recession

Family

• Go to parents for guidance and support

• According to Pew Research Center, 52% of millennials say that being a good parent is a top priority, and 30% say that it is having a successful marriage

• Are suspected to put children ahead of their career

Fitness

• 63% of Millennial men, and 48% of Millennial women exercise daily

• Watch less TV, surprisingly

Events that Have Shaped the Millennials

• September 11th Attacks

• War in Iraq

• Virginia Tech

9/11

• Led to revolution in Homeland Security and parental sheltering

• Grew up in a world of fear

• 7 out of 10 millennials said their lives were changed by 9/11

• Led to a service boom because Millennials saw the heroics of firefighters and police officers and used it as a model to aspire to

• Has also led to increase on texting/social networking due to sheltering from parents

War in Iraq

• Millennials have been in this war for as long as they can remember

• Many know, and have lost, friends and family members in this war

• A world of war has always been commonplace

• Led to a service boom to support their friends and family, and keep morale high in the troops

Virginia Tech

• Most deadly massacre to occur on any University Campus

• Led to emergency text message systems at schools

• Some Universities have safety drills at orientations, and installed locks inside doors

• Caused Millennials to make safety a priority