Entitlement generation - Essay Example

Question The given the generation born between 1979 and 1994 is generation Y, and while the “En ment generation” is in fact a stereotype it is one that has been appropriately earned based on my personal observations of this. This generation was born into an era that had instant everything from gratification to jobs. According to Julien Pouget generation Y or (why?) can be defined with some very pointed characteristics. They are generally networkers, demanding the now, short attention spans, citizens of the world, multi-taskers, mobile, want instant feedback, want mentors, highly adaptable, want a work-life balance, do not like commanding bosses and want to know why?

(Dumont, 2009 p 1) Given that everything humanity wants is readily available at our fingertips with very few exceptions this is not something that can be viewed as abnormal. In fact, it would seem that the next generations may in fact be far more likely to push even this current approach to life, work and the sense of entitlement that encompasses much of the current generation. There is no doubt that this is a stereotype versus a perception, simply because a very large percentage of individuals born in this era fit the characteristics that were shown above.

A perception would mean that may not be the majority of and is simply what is seen by some. The internet and technology is a perfect example of this generation. This generation of people is far more active technologically than any other generation before it. One study showed that 82 percent of U.S. Adults have a mobile device, and that 20 percent of those have made a purchase using them, the ages for that 20% being between 18 and 29 or the generation Y grouping. (Study, 2010) This is one example of the “got have it now” attitude that pervades generation Y.

While it can be shown that this generation may be the “entitlement generation” this does not mean all are or all will be, simply that many are, we are used to being able to purchase what we want when we want and have been encouraged to question how things are. Dumont, F. (2009). Generation y: the entitlement generation. Informally published manuscript, Career Services Department, International University of Monaco, Monaco, Retrieved from http://alumni.monaco.edu/Download_pdf/Generation%20Y%20Report.

pdf Study,. (2010, July). Study: more adults using mobile internet the role of ecommerce and mobile marketing also is growing.. Retrieved from http://www.nacsonline.com/NACS/News/Daily/Pages/ND0712105.aspx Question 2 The differences between a perception, a generalization and a stereotype for me are easy to see. A perception is what others see with the initial glance or look. They watch another person and see that this other person is dressed in sagging pants with tattoos they have an immediate perception of that person, and it may be that this other person is a “gangster” which may not be the case at all, however, that initial look or perception stays with them.

A generalization is when someone states categorically that all urban kids are gangsters, and is what occurs when the person making the statement simply fails to clarify the statement in many instances. However, that generalization can carry over and be affected by perceptions of the object of generalization. A generalization can be based on location or area versus individual characteristics which is where a stereotype comes in. A stereotype is when someone uses a particular characteristic such as race, sex or similar to generalize another individual.

A stereotype would be saying that all white men are racist, or all black men are pimps or all Hispanic men are drug dealers. Stereotypes are in my opinion the most damaging use of our perceptions based in others or our own generalizations.