Generation Y Attitudes

Here is a snapshot of the attitude of Generation Y taken from a previous post.  Please keep in mind that this is a blanket generalization for an entire generation and shouldn’t be taken as anything more than an observed trend of a large populace.

Attitude/Behavior of Gen Y:

• Raised as consumers in a media saturated, brand conscious world
• Fostered a distrustful and cynical view of advertising as a whole – prefers trust, irony, and humor.
• Parallel (rather than linear) thinkers
• Apt to begin tasks randomly – perhaps in the middle – as opposed to a traditional starting point
• Graphics oriented, see text as supporting visual material
• Thrive on change and variety.
• Demand quick, if not instant, gratification
• Upbeat, confident, and assertive with high self esteem
• Optimistic
• Independent and self-reliant: Used to doing it (and many other things) themselves
• Multi-taskers
• Asserting their “intellectual authority” over parents, teachers, employers because they are more techno-savvy and capable of accessing greater breadth of information quickly.
• High value for education – strive to continue education through life
• Motivated and Goal-Oriented
• Diverse and Tolerant
• Strong dislike for racism in any form, sexism and homophobia
• High in Volunteerism
• Invest in the social and community causes
• What do Gen Yers value most in life? Family, traditional values, country, planet
• Unlike the Baby Boomer generation, Gen Yers value things other than income and status as being primary in life
• Desire to work in highly motivated and committed teams
• Need to be challenged – look for opportunities for growth, education, apprenticeship
• Up to 20% of their time is spent alone
• Includers – they make people feel welcome and involved
• Lofty financial goals – remember they are spenders!
• Trained to be “Doers and Achievers”
• Limited Employer loyalty – Jobs for life are replaced with short-term contracts
• 1 in 5 Gen Y women will choose to remain childless

Read the full post HERE.