A Thematic Analysis of

the Millennial

Generation

Kathy Bies-Jaede

Maria Lazaro de Ortecho

Peggy Retka

Authors: Neil Howe & William

Strauss

Cartoons by: R.J. Matson

Published by Vintage Books: A

Division of Random House, Inc.

New York

Copyright 2000

Fourth book together

Generations (1991)

13th Gen (1993)

The Fourth Turing (1997)

Consulting Firm: LifeCourse Associates

Recruiting Millennials Handbook for the US Army

(2001)

Millennials go to College (2003) 2nd Edition (2007)

Millennials and the Pop Culture (2005)

Millennials Go to College: Surveys and Analysis

(2007)

Several Independent Books

A little bit about generations

Setting the Stage: Where do they come

from? Generations preceding the

Millennials

Progressive and Lost Generations

G.I. and Silent Generations

Baby Boomers and Generation X

Who are the Millennials?

Where are they headed?

Implications for Student Affairs

Professionals

I. Generational Theory

What is a generation?

How are they formed?

How History shapes generations

How generations shape history

Hero Generations

II. Where do Millennials come from?A. Progressive and Lost Generations

Birth Years and Childhood1843-1859; 1883-1900

AccomplishmentsVote for Women

Family and CommunityValues, Character, ReligionPopular culture and TechnologyTelephone, radio

Crime and Drugs

A. Progressive and Lost Generations

Gender Roles and Sexuality

World Events

World War I, Prohibition

Economics and politics

Health care

Penicillin post WWI

Education

II. Where do Millennials come from?

B. G.I. and Silent Generations

Birth Years and Childhood1901-1924; 1925-1942

AccomplishmentsFamily and CommunityValues, Character, ReligionPopular Culture, TechnologyCrime and Drugs

B. G.I. and Silent

Gender Roles and Sexuality

World EventsWWII, Atom Bomb, Depression

Economics and politicsMcCarthy Hearings

Health careAntibiotics

Education

II. Where do Millennials come from?

C. Baby Boomer and Generation X

Birth Years and Childhood, 1945-1964; 1965-1985

AccomplishmentsFamily and CommunityValues, Character, ReligionPopular Culture, TechnologyCrime and Drugs

C. Baby Boomer and Generation X

Gender Roles and Sexuality

World Events

Moon Landing

Vietnam

Berlin Wall

Economics and politics

Health care

Education

Birth Years and Childhood 1985-Present

The Wanted Children

A found generation, sheltered

AccomplishmentsOptimists, confident

Cooperative Team Players

Rule Followers

Smarter than most think

Family and CommunityOlder parentsSmaller familiesMore firstbornsMore parental educationSlowing down of family breakupSheltered and CocoonedSupported by political agenda

Values, Character, ReligionVolunteerismApply religion to daily life

Popular Culture and

Technology

Crime and Drugs

Gender Roles and Sexuality

World EventsImmigration

Racially and Ethnically Diverse

Economics and Politics Strong buying potential

Influence parents’ spending

Health Care Cared from since before birth

Pre-natal vitamins and healthy lifestyles

Immunizations

Low infant mortality

Low accident rate

Some real risks

Education High achievers

Changing Demographics:

Race & Ethnicity

GoalsTogether we can achieve!

For good or for bad…

Family and Community

Teens and Adulthood

Popular Culture and

Technology

Crime and Drugs

Gender Roles and Sexuality

World Events

Economics and Politics

Health care

Education

Have you identified your

generation?

This will be important as you

attempt to work with the

Millennials and the future Oh-

ohs!

They are here… ready or not!

How to overcome pessimism?

Supporting the needs of this group

Emphasis should be placed on areas that

they relate to.

Resources allocated to community,

volunteerism, etc.

Rallying around the wrong flag.

What will the Oh-ohs bring?

Very accessible

Appropriate for a wide audience

Entertaining and Informing

Leaves you wanting to know… what

about now?

Wondering… Is this generation really

that different than before?

Authors are very optimistic

Howe, N., & Strauss, W. (2000).

Millennials Rising: The Next Great

Generation. New York: Vintage

Books.

Romano, A. (9 February, 2008). He’s

One of Us Now: Obama Embodies My

Generation’s Attitudes and

Aspirations, for Better or for Worse.

Newsweek.