I really like this video. Not just because it’s funny, but because it’s true. It reveals a bit about who the baby boomers are, and what their kids, Generation Y are like.
First off, as a mother of two young adults, belonging to Generation Y, I must say that it’s all true. Mothers want more time to take care of their kids, and their kids always want more attention!
Apparently, it’s difficult to make our kids hear what we have to say.
Generation Y isn’t very good at staying concentrated on one thing for a long time. They are great at focusing in on a lot of things at the same time. They sit at the dinner table, listen to their I POD, watch TV, and do their homework, while chatting with their friends on messenger, and talking on their cell phone.
These young people were raised with a full schedule. As parents, we wanted them to learn English, practice sports, learn musical instruments, and find something else (on top of all these activities), that would differentiate them from their peers, when applying to Universities and finding a job.
We were the parents who went to their schools to complain about the type of education they were receiving. We also complained about those “unfair” low grades they got.
As Baby Boomers, we would say, “We are doing this for them, for their future, for their happiness, and they don’t even notice it!”
We became helicopter parents, though we didn’t know the term at the time. This video also talks about the term.
Even so, everything caused us guilt. As mothers, we felt guilty about everything. We didn’t feel we were giving our kids enough attention, especially as working mothers.
When I started my career, I worked in the Civil Construction Business, at Servenco, along with Dr. Clara Steinberg. I felt extremely proud when I employed female engineers. At the time, this was a big step for women. But then the other Engineers started saying that women couldn’t be on the civil construction site! It’s amazing to think that this sort of outrage was happening only 24 years ago.
All of us wanted to help our children. We wanted to help them in their path to adulthood. There are countless articles questioning if this sort of “hovering” parenting style helps or just gets in the way.
Up until today, at my Headhunting Company, Grupo Foco, we encounter countless scenes, in regards to trainees and interns. Mothers call us up to find out if the selective process for a job can be extended, since their kid is on a trip. Others attempt to justify their child’s absence at an interview. Of course we have to receive these parents with respect and care, but it’s still quite hilarious.
The truth is that generation Y is spoiled. When they get to the business world, they need orientation from their supervisors. That is the way they were raised. These young people accept the guidance we have to give them. What’s more, they actually need it. They need rules and they like transparency. And I believe that in the past, older people haven’t understood this. They haven’t been able to start a dialogue with their subordinates.
This inter-generational dialogue has the potential to be a great source of relief within businesses. Just remember to take off your shoes.
Please know that the official name, most widely used, is Millennial Generation, not Generation Y. They chose this name in a nationwide poll. They do not want to be known as a simple extension of the Xers. Also the next generation is call Homeland Generation, those 7 years of age and under. Boomers is now the official moniker for the Baby Boomer Generation. My husband and I have a passion for generational studies and are constantly researching and consulting throughout the United States, coast to coast and Hawai’i. Neil Howe and Dr. Gary Conti have been our mentors!
I do enjoy your posts. Thank you!
[...] our kids to be mature enough to live alone, or with friends or a partner. On the other hand, as “helicopter parents,” we want them close to us. [...]