Newsweek’s piece, “Are Millennials the Screwed Generation,” certainly reads like yet another apology by baby boomers for being so darned successful while leaving younger generations in a wake of debt and economic chaos.
Today’s youth, both here and abroad, have been screwed by their parents’ fiscal profligacy and economic mismanagement. Neil Howe, a leading generational theorist, cites the “greed, shortsightedness, and blind partisanship” of the boomers, of whom he is one, for having “brought the global economy to its knees.”
But while the numbers regarding employment, student debt and home ownership certainly are daunting, it seems as though boomers and millennials (at least those not marching in the “Occupy Guitarmy”) aren’t looking for a pity party, and they’re speaking up in response. While Newsweek did receive plenty of the “life is hard” anecdotes it seemed to be fishing for, it also uncovered something else.
had to downgrade my HD cable package, cancel my laundry delivery service and stop buying organic beef from @WholeFoods. #GenerationScrewed
— patagonia papi (@AdrianBrinkley) July 17, 2012
I don't appreciate the defeatist thinking that goes along with this #generationscrewed thing. No one's going to hand you success.
— arikia (@arikia) July 17, 2012
I have minimal sympathy for these #GenerationScrewed tweets. It's called go-to-a-public-university @thedailybeast
— itsRebecky (@ItsRebecky) July 17, 2012
Want to read tweets from bozos with an inflated sense of entitlement and ZERO historical perspective? Click: #GenerationScrewed
— Caleb Garling (@CalebGarling) July 17, 2012
#GenerationScrewed I think my grandfather who grew up in the Great depression would have a few things to say about carrying ice on a string.
— Annie O’Kae (@annieareyouokae) July 17, 2012
https://twitter.com/njbrown87/status/225380447054610432
I almost tweeted about being part of #GenerationScrewed. Then I stopped and started being awesome.
— Jamie Bull (@JamesonBull) July 17, 2012
I am not #generationscrewed – I am generation startup and generation new definition of success. @mmultack @anthonysodd @nwc @theexpeditioner
— Tracy Sodd (@TracySodd) July 17, 2012
Please stop with the #generationscrewed tweets unless you live in Sudan. If you have time to tweet, you're part of #genrelativelygood.
— Joe Heim (@JoeHeim) July 17, 2012
https://twitter.com/NickESanchez/status/225347723086405634
@Newsweek They may #GenerationScrewed right now, but this Gen has better technology, mobility, knowledge & access. Opportunity will come..
— Arash Shirazi (@arashshirazi) July 17, 2012
Hey #GenerationScrewed …I heard Taco Bell is hiring. #GrandmaCouldntVOTE #GrowAPair
— lj (@ellejhill) July 17, 2012
@Lauinlondon @thedailybeast Seeing yourself as a victim is the fastest way to #GenerationScrewed.
— AmericaAdrift (@larry_author) July 17, 2012
Worked hard through college, job that I love, home owner by 23. It's not #GenerationScrewed, its just #generationcomplainers.
— Emily ? (@emilyaccipiter) July 17, 2012
So what shall we call these young Americans? Generation Complainers? Generation Hope?
#GenerationObama is more accurate. MT @Newsweek Riddled w/ debt? No job prospects? Are you a member of the #GenerationScrewed?
— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) July 17, 2012
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