The mysterious digital world of generation Y
26/08/08 15:08
A recent article in this month’s edition of North and South talks about Generation Y also known as the Dotcoms, the spoiled Generation and the Babylosers. The terms used to describe this cohort of kids from the last twenty years who are now twenty somethings and represent 21 percent of New Zealand’s population, is a clue to the contradictory characteristics of this generation.
The article takes an interesting approach, a discussion from a bonifide Gen Y’er, a medical professional who is working closely with Gen Y Doctors and changing the face of medicine, teachers responding to the Gen Y kids in their schools, the media, and educational policy people trying to determine whats the next step for an education system that is a traditional, fixed and linear learning system.
The discussion surrounding the tough economic times is also interesting. The term “Gen Y couldn’t care less” about politics and social issues has been proven wrong, as investigated by Rebecca Huntley. She argues that in fact they do have political convictions – “a complicated mix of liberal and conservative perspectives” and they don’t have an appetite for business as usual. So Gen Ys are not going to be easily sucked into the political debate, they are going to make a distinction between political rhetoric, and the issues that really matter to them.
The article takes an interesting approach, a discussion from a bonifide Gen Y’er, a medical professional who is working closely with Gen Y Doctors and changing the face of medicine, teachers responding to the Gen Y kids in their schools, the media, and educational policy people trying to determine whats the next step for an education system that is a traditional, fixed and linear learning system.
The discussion surrounding the tough economic times is also interesting. The term “Gen Y couldn’t care less” about politics and social issues has been proven wrong, as investigated by Rebecca Huntley. She argues that in fact they do have political convictions – “a complicated mix of liberal and conservative perspectives” and they don’t have an appetite for business as usual. So Gen Ys are not going to be easily sucked into the political debate, they are going to make a distinction between political rhetoric, and the issues that really matter to them.
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