Of all the prevalent stereotypes about millennials, one of the biggest and most mentioned is their generation’s sense of entitlement.
Though disparate groups likely have different rationales, entitlement (or an entitlement complex) basically means you believe you’re owed something intrinsically. Basic opportunities—to be heard, to unlock their potential, and to create the future youth want.
The notion is that millennials were raised by baby boomer and Gen X parents who spoiled them. They were granted participation trophies just for showing up to competitive events and had access to the internet—with virtually unlimited connective potential—in their childhood and early adult years. Accordingly, they grew up to believe that the world already owed them something, and complain when they don’t immediately get it.
Often, entitlement is employed as a negative characteristic, and calling a young person entitled is generally meant as a criticism or, worse, an affront. In her critically acclaimed book Why Is It Always About You?, author Sandy Hotchkiss underlined that “Hell hath no fury like a narcissist denied,” as she established that a sense of entitlement actually has nothing to do with real self-worth.
In different circumstances, the entitlement youth feel is frequently misunderstood and misrepresented. Young women and men are inheriting the consequences of decisions being made—in large part—by members of older generations, and they feel entitled to have the chance to contribute. Around the globe, young people have ideas about, and are taking action on, the issues that affect them most—from political disenfranchisement and economic inequality to the exorbitant costs of education, to climate change—and they feel entitled to being heard.
Too often, though, they are not. In fact, according to the 2017 Global Youth Wellbeing Index, 2 out of 3 youth IYF surveyed in 30 countries felt that their governments did not care about their wants or needs. Such impuissance, so the youth claims, induces depression.
Just under two weeks ago, ZimProfound, a group that hosts intellectual and creative content that reflects a critical and positive outlook on Zimbabwe and Africa at large, compèred a debate on youth entitlement and depression. Themed “Are the Youth Entitled or Depressed?”, the parly which has been aired on YouTube delved into issues concerning education, employment, social media, and identity politics.
Zimprofound is a brainchild of socio-political/socio-economic analyst, debate and public speaking coach, Dalitso Ndlovu.
Watch the video:
