Eric and Lisa

A couple weeks ago I found on a friend's blog (www.castingoutnines.net) a reference to a book entitled "Generation Me", by Jean Twenge. The book came out of work Twenge did on her dissertation in regards to analyzing psychological survey data from different time periods (roughly 50's thru the present). Since in many cases the same survey instruments were used for over a half-century, she was able to make direct comparisons between responses recorded in different decades. Essentially, her research method allowed her to come as close to comparing "apples to apples" with respect to generational differences as one can. Some of her results were both interesting, and well..., rather disturbing.

In "Generation Me", Twenge sets out to create a broad picture of the thoughts and attitudes of those born since 1970. As she states, although 30+ years is a long time period for a generation, there are some important common denominators which make the grouping a valid one. Primarily, the emphasis on self-esteem driven education (i.e. everyone is taught to feel good about themselves regardless of what they do), as well as the perpetuation of the myth "you can be anything you want to be", has resulted in a generation of duty-less, depressed, and self-centered individuals. Twenge spends much of the book discussing how this generation thinks and feels about issues; everything from political involvement, interpersonal communication, work relations, and (in a highly disturbing chapter) sex.

Although I disagree with some of the conclusions Twenge draws from her research, as well as with her unbalanced and obviously biased portrayal of some issues, I think "Generation Me" should be a must-read for anyone who works with or wants to understand those born since 1970.

--Eric