Millennials In Adulthood
I read this year's Pew report so that you don't have to.
Last week, the Pew Research Center released its annual report on American adulthood. This year's title tells all–"Millennials in Adulthood: Detached from Institutions, Networked with Friends".
The term Millennial includes anyone ages 18-33. According to the study, we millennials are digital natives, believe in gay rights, and are the most racially diverse generation in history. However, we are disillusioned by political parties, swimming in debt, and are decreasingly religious.
On the digital front, we have 50 more Facebook friends than Gen X (the previous generation), 150 more than Baby Boomers, and 200 more than Silent Boomers/The Silent Generation (people born during the Great Depression and WWII).
81% of Millennials know what a selfie is, and 55% of us have posted one (at least that's who's admitted it). In contrast, only 24% of Gen X, nine percent of Boomers, and four percent of Silents have posted one. Furthermore, 40% of Boomers and 66% of Silents don't even know what a selfie is. This is surprising in light of the fact that Oxford Dictionaries chose "selfie" as last year's word of the year.
The statistics of this year's report reveal a digital divide, and only time will tell exactly what the implications of this are. It could be good for advertisers, troubling for politics, and challenging to interpersonal relationships. The actions and creativity of Americans will shape the meanings of digital realities, and we can only hope that new tools will be used to better the world. It is an exciting time to be a digital native, and to witness historic changes in the realm of technology.
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