Generation Y: A New Era of Progressive Change

Our generation--the Millennials--those born between 1982 and 2000 totaling more than 80 million young people--have truly created a new era of social change and civic engagement. We have been shaped by war, terrorism, recessions, and a constant flow of information and technology. Those within the millennial generation or generation y, overwhelmingly support progressive political candidates and issues, ranging from gay marriage to stem cell research to national service. We actively seek the approval of others, thrive on independence and culture, and aim to make a difference in the world in all that we do.

According to a USA Today, generation y voted overwhelmingly for President Obama with margin of 2 to 1. As our generation continues to expand and become of age we are known as an independent mix of idealists, realists, and social changers--able to multi-task and change in an ever stressful society, constant flow of information, news, friends, and communication. Many of our parents tend to always wonder exactly what we are doing with our lives--especially when we spend so much time "finding ourselves" through service, entrepreneurial ventures, parties, and trips. Our generation parties just as hard as it works--seeking to balance a stressful life with amazing friends, activities, and interactive social experiences.

Social networking sites such as Facebook have allowed us to freely express ourselves and our lives on a 24/7 basis--keeping friends as close as the dorm room next door to friends studying overseas in London--updated to what our daily activities are--from simply cooking some pizza for a Friday night movie or watching our favorite show & constantly updating our status to reflect our moods and feelings to the action or drama on the screen. Our generation, more than any other, has been in the center of a new progressive society, poised to make an impact at a young age and driven by the need to stay relevant and empowered.

As time goes on, so will our influence grow and the hope of tomorrow will rest in our hands. Shall we take the challenge and create a new society that embraces inclusion, idealism, volunteerism, and service or will we sputter out and become more hesitant to social change and be defined by a need for too much information resulting in a collapse of our social norms and structure? Only time will tell-- and my hope is that we embrace a culture that embodies a fresh hope for tomorrow, a thrill to serve others in need, and a tenacity that creates rather than destroys.