I have a confession to make: my first word as a child was not “mommy”, or “dada”, but “MINE". And apparently I am part of a larger movement in my generation that encourages self-centeredness and shuns empathy. According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, college students are 40% less empathetic than they were 30 years ago. The article highlights a harsh reality of people growing up in today’s cutthroat world—“today’s students are generally less likely to describe themselves as ‘soft-hearted’ or to have ‘tender, concerned feelings’ for others. They are more likely, meanwhile, to admit that ‘other people’s misfortunes’ usually don’t disturb them”.
In another article published by the University of Michigan, the author coins the term “Generation Me” for students my age, and further claims that we are the “most self-centered, narcissistic, competitive, confident and individualistic [generation] in recent history”. So what do we attribute to this? Bad parenting?
Not quite. I believe this is a direct result of the world we grew up in; we are a byproduct of the competitive, individualistic environment that surrounds us at all times. In a world where students need to find the cure to cancer to get into college, we learn to put “blinders” on that allows us to focus solely on ourselves, and achieving personal goals at any cost. Does this mean we are inherently bad people?
No. But these traits of our generation will drastically affect the workplace; it will be harder for individuals to work in teams, listen to one another, and collaborate. It also means that professionals will do whatever it takes to get what they want, no matter if it is at another’s expense (because we don’t care, remember?).
So for all of you college students, watch out. It’s a tough world out there.
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