Emma Burk

EN 101

Summary/Response Essay

17 November 2020

The Tradition of Generations

Every millennial has heard the comments from older generations: “When I was your age,

I had to walk to school, and it was uphill both ways.” “When I was your age, I didn’t have a

computer to write my essays.” “When I was your age…” No matter what older individuals say,

their words always imply one thing--that millennials are lazy. In “A Generation of Slackers? Not

So Much,” Catherine Rampell, writer and editor of the Economix blog, discusses the perception

that millennials are lazy. Rampell argues that although older generations see millennials as lazy,

this is untrue; Rampell goes on to correctly argue that younger generations have always been

viewed negatively by generations before them, that younger generations are capable of being

adaptive, and that millennials work well in groups.

In Rampell’s essay “A Generation of Slackers? Not so Much,” she explains why older

generations see younger generations as lazy. However, she disputes most of those claims by

showing that younger generations have positive attributes. For example, it has been easier for

millennial students to earn good grades. While nobody knows why this is exactly, the increase in

technology has helped younger generations; information is now more accessible than ever

before. Another positive characteristic of today's younger generation is that the amount of

college students working full time is at an all-time high. Carn Van Horn, a labor economist at

Rutgers, argues, “Today’s young people are very focused on trying to work hard and to get
ahead” (qtd. in Rampell 389). Not only are millennials working hard through college, but they

are also making sure they find time in their days to complete community service. According to

studies by the Corporation for National and Community service, teenagers volunteering from

1989 to 2006 doubled from 13.4 percent to 26.4 percent (qtd. in Rampell 389-90). Additionally,

millennials have a different outlook on working and use new strategies to become as productive

as possible. Throughout her essay, Rampell points out that “[M]any of the behaviors that older

generations interpret as lazy may actually enhance young people’s productivity” (390). For

example, people in younger generations are more likely to be productive throughout their days if

they take breaks. Overall, millennials are not lazy; they just work differently than people in older

generations.

Traditions are passed down through generations, and while some of them may vary,

others always stay the same. Rampell explains, “It’s worth remembering that to some extent,

these accusations of laziness and narcissism in ‘kids these days’ are nothing new. . . Even

Aristotle and Plato were said to have expressed similar feelings about the slacker youth of their

times” (389). Rampell is implying that no matter what generation comes up, older generations

will always have something they disagree with in the younger generations. Take ,for example,

my sister, who is eleven years younger than me. There are numerous things she does differently

compared to what I did when I was her age. For this reason, I believe my generation is superior

and the things we did when we were younger are better than what the younger generation does

now. My brother, however, feels the same way I do, but with me. When he was a kid, he had no

technology whatsoever; however, as a kid I had some technology--not much, but some.

Therefore, my brother believes he is superior to me since he did different, “better” activities

growing up. No matter how much we believe our generation is better than the next, the true

answer will never be known because of this tradition that will always be passed down.

Because of the increase of technology in younger generations, people in these younger

generations are believed to multitask better than older generations. Rampell summarizes John

Della Volpe, polling director at Harvard’s Institute of Politics, who explains, “Some experts also

believe that today’s young people are better at quickly switching from one task to another. . .”

(390). In other words, Volpe implies young people can more easily switch from one task to

another than someone from an older generation. While there may not be an answer as to why this

is, technology might play a role in this advantage. Most people from older generations despise

the use of technology in today's society; however, this exposure has actually become very

beneficial. Younger people are familiar with switching from different tasks. I have learned how

to listen to a book while straightening my hair or driving to a destination. Younger generations

are familiar with going quickly from one task to another, which helps them become adaptable in

society.

Along with adaptability, being able to work well with others is an important skill to have

in life. Rampell summarizes Don Tapscott, author of ​Grown up Digital: How the Net Generation

is Changing Your World, ​who says, “Members of the Gen Y, for example, are significantly more

likely than Gen X’ers and boomers to say they are more productive working in teams than on

their own” (390). He intends for readers to interpret this statement as members of Generation Y

being capable of working well as a team. Having this characteristic is a vital skill needed in order

to be successful in a career. I am planning on becoming a registered nurse and a nurse

practitioner; however, I realize that if I can not work well as a team member, I might not be able
to reach my full potential. Because I am a member of the younger generation, it will be easier for

me to reach my goal since nurses and nurse practitioners have to multitask frequently and I

already have that skill.

No matter what, older generations will always see the next generation as lazy and

narcissistic, even if they have positive attributes they bring to society. This tradition of labeling

the next generation will always occur. There will always be people who ask members of the

youngest generation if they have manners or if their parents raised them right. The beliefs of past

generations will continue to carry forward, while at the same time encouraging those in future

generations to find greater success than their ancestors.

 Work Cited

Rampell, Catherine. “A Generation of Slackers? Not so Much.” ​Acting Out Culture: Reading for

Critical Inquiry, ​by James S. Miller, 3rd ed., Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2015, pp. 388-90.