Every generation has unique qualities that vary depending on the societies they grow up in. Often, older generations bash the ones that follow.

Many millennials can attest to this, and wish that older people would try to better understand what they’re going through.

“Older people always stereotype us,” junior Ashlen Lemon said. “They think we’re lazy.”

While millennials are often referred to as lazy and sheltered, they are also put under a lot of constant pressure.

Minimum wage has not kept up with inflation, much less the skyrocketing costs of tuition, making it nearly impossible for students to pay for college on their own. Other generations might have been able to pay most their way through college, but today, the circumstances are incredibly different.

“It’s messed up that they treat us the way they do,” senior Jordyne Williams said. “They don’t realize how much different it is for us today.”

Some students describe their generation as progressive and hard-working.

“We have a lot to say,” sophomore Esperanza Palmer said. “Our opinions matter just as much as everyone else’s.”

Despite all the criticism, many positive things have been associated with millennials. According to the Pew Research Center, about two-thirds of millennials are supportive of same sex marriage.

Also, teen pregnancy rates have been dropping quickly over the last few years, which means abortion rates have been following the same trend.

“Our generation is smart, hardworking and capable of so much,” senior Chelsey Augustine said. “Other generations need to respect us, if not for our achievements, then for the fact that we’re going to be the ones taking care of them in the future.”

16bmathias@usd489.com