Claire Shipp
English 101
“How We Work”: Summary/Critique Essay (Final Draft)
November 21, 2017
English 101
“How We Work”: Summary/Critique Essay (Final Draft)
November 21, 2017
A Generation of Slackers?
Work ethic is arguably one of the most valuable character assets to an individual; this is devastating to millennials because they are lazy and narcissistic--according to older generations. The popular opinion that millennials, also called Generation Y, were coddled through their youth and are currently unsuccessful due to their lack of work ethic may be untrue and biased. Acclaimed writer and editor Catherine Rampell analyzes the truth about millennials in her persuasive article titled, “A Generation of Slackers? Not So Much.” Rampell claims that despite popular opinion from older people, Generation Y is not full of lazy video gamers; instead, Generation Y works effectively in it’s own unique ways (Rampell 388-391). Rampell’s insightful explanation of the work ethic of millennials is indisputable; she accurately describes the perception of youths’ work ethic, the effects of a continuous generation gap, and the usefulness of youths’ newly acquired skills.
In the article, Rampell first addresses the opinions of older generations toward millennials regarding their work ability She claims that both Generation Y and their preceders believe that youth today have weaker work ethic and morality than that of older generations; however, Rampell then disputes this point by listing the various reasons this stereotype is inaccurate. The prejudice against young generations is ingrained in the way society ages. Rampell claims, “Even Aristotle and Plato were said to have expressed similar [negative] feelings about the slacker youth of their times” (Rampell 389). In addition, there is significant evidence to suggest that millennials are working, learning, and serving more. Rampell quotes Carl Van Horn, a labor economist, in her article to support the claim that millennials are indeed hard-working individuals.Van Horn says, “This image of the kid who goes off and skis in Colorado, I don’t think that's the correct image. Today’s young people are very focused on trying to work hard and to get ahead” (qtd. in Rampell 389). Rampell provides specific examples of the various unique ways Generation Y works. Unlike older generations, Generation Y works in teams and switches tasks often; these young adults also blur the lines between work and play to bring enjoyment to the workplace. These working habits may seem unproductive and inappropriate to older generations simply because their habits are different.
Despite all evidence to prove contrary, most millennials believe that their work ethic is inferior to that of their predecessors. Rampell writes, “In a sign of humility or docility, young people agree. In that 2009 Pew survey, two-thirds of millennials said older adults were superior to the younger generation when it came to moral values and work ethic” (Rampell 388). Due to the idea being ingrained into young brains or possibly the admiration of their parents, the majority of youth believe that their values and work ethic are inferior to that of older generations; as a part of this younger generation, I agree in full. Through FFA I have learned the value of hard work; however, I have also become fully aware that my work ethic is weak in comparison to the work ethic of older individuals like Roger Wolf. Wolf was an agriculture teacher in Chillicothe, Missouri, for over 20 years, and as I have gotten to know him I have learned to appreciate the long hours he spends working. Mr. Wolf helps students in and out of the show ring even though he is retired and has his own grandkids to take care of. In addition, Mr. Wolf spends each Sunday morning serving at church. After witnessing Mr. Wolf’s incredible work ethic, I know that I cannot compare to him. However, I do feel that I still have a quality work ethic. The older generations view of millennials is tainted by the generation gap.
Rampell describes the effect of an inevitable generation gap on the interpretation of millennial work ethic; she describes the timeless concept of lazy youth. She writes, “It is worth remembering that to some extent, these accusations of laziness and narcissism in ‘kids these days’ are nothing new--they’ve been leveled against Generation X, Baby Boomers, and many generations before them” (qtd. in Rampell 389). As generations grow older, the commonality is to accuse the generation below them of being immoral and apathetic even though that is not entirely true. I witnessed this concept while working in the garden with my mother and grandmother. After an hour, my grandmother, mother, and I had picked close to the same amount of beans; yet, when brought up in conversation we each claimed to have a lesser work ethic than the other. My grandmother, mother, and I all worked hard that day, but our perception of our elders prevented us from seeing our own value. This story perfectly depicts the tendency each generation has to put their elders on a pedestal and disregard their own strengths. In addition, the way millennials work falsely strengthens the negative stereotype against them.
Along with the generation gap, millennials’ stereotype is exaggerated by their unique work style. Rampell explains by writing, “Perhaps most important, many of the behaviors that older generations interpret as laziness may actually enhance young people’s productivity” (Rampell 390). While many of the qualities today’s youth have adapted from the technology era may seem detrimental to older generations, these skills are actually beneficial to the workforce. Generation Y has been surrounded with technology since birth, and that has allowed them to learn to manage new innovations properly. As I move into my career as an agriculture teacher, I will be able to bring a highly useful asset older teachers will not have: technology. Through my education, I have been inundated with different, positive and negative, uses for new technology. Because my peers and I are able to effectively use technology, career fields across the workforce will begin to change and improve as we grow older. In addition, I have gained teamwork and time management skills that older people may view as the easy way out, but instead, my skills in technology guide me to the smarter way of accomplishing my goals. Older generations view Generation Y as lazy because their work techniques are unfamiliar and unprecedented.
Catherine Rampell’s essay, “A Generation of Slackers? Not So Much” explains the falsities in the stereotype that deems millennials lethargic; she flawlessly describes the perception of youth work ethic, effect of generation gaps, and usefulness of new work techniques. While the negative stereotype may fit a few, older generations cannot fairly declare all millennials lazy. A few individuals cannot represent an entire generation. Despite that fact, the cycle of elder superiority seems to have perpetuated American culture. Soon millennials will have a generation below them. Generation Y can choose to either perpetuate the negative cycle of demining youths’ value, or millennials can choose to appreciate the new skills and abilities that come with the future generation.
In the article, Rampell first addresses the opinions of older generations toward millennials regarding their work ability She claims that both Generation Y and their preceders believe that youth today have weaker work ethic and morality than that of older generations; however, Rampell then disputes this point by listing the various reasons this stereotype is inaccurate. The prejudice against young generations is ingrained in the way society ages. Rampell claims, “Even Aristotle and Plato were said to have expressed similar [negative] feelings about the slacker youth of their times” (Rampell 389). In addition, there is significant evidence to suggest that millennials are working, learning, and serving more. Rampell quotes Carl Van Horn, a labor economist, in her article to support the claim that millennials are indeed hard-working individuals.Van Horn says, “This image of the kid who goes off and skis in Colorado, I don’t think that's the correct image. Today’s young people are very focused on trying to work hard and to get ahead” (qtd. in Rampell 389). Rampell provides specific examples of the various unique ways Generation Y works. Unlike older generations, Generation Y works in teams and switches tasks often; these young adults also blur the lines between work and play to bring enjoyment to the workplace. These working habits may seem unproductive and inappropriate to older generations simply because their habits are different.
Despite all evidence to prove contrary, most millennials believe that their work ethic is inferior to that of their predecessors. Rampell writes, “In a sign of humility or docility, young people agree. In that 2009 Pew survey, two-thirds of millennials said older adults were superior to the younger generation when it came to moral values and work ethic” (Rampell 388). Due to the idea being ingrained into young brains or possibly the admiration of their parents, the majority of youth believe that their values and work ethic are inferior to that of older generations; as a part of this younger generation, I agree in full. Through FFA I have learned the value of hard work; however, I have also become fully aware that my work ethic is weak in comparison to the work ethic of older individuals like Roger Wolf. Wolf was an agriculture teacher in Chillicothe, Missouri, for over 20 years, and as I have gotten to know him I have learned to appreciate the long hours he spends working. Mr. Wolf helps students in and out of the show ring even though he is retired and has his own grandkids to take care of. In addition, Mr. Wolf spends each Sunday morning serving at church. After witnessing Mr. Wolf’s incredible work ethic, I know that I cannot compare to him. However, I do feel that I still have a quality work ethic. The older generations view of millennials is tainted by the generation gap.
Rampell describes the effect of an inevitable generation gap on the interpretation of millennial work ethic; she describes the timeless concept of lazy youth. She writes, “It is worth remembering that to some extent, these accusations of laziness and narcissism in ‘kids these days’ are nothing new--they’ve been leveled against Generation X, Baby Boomers, and many generations before them” (qtd. in Rampell 389). As generations grow older, the commonality is to accuse the generation below them of being immoral and apathetic even though that is not entirely true. I witnessed this concept while working in the garden with my mother and grandmother. After an hour, my grandmother, mother, and I had picked close to the same amount of beans; yet, when brought up in conversation we each claimed to have a lesser work ethic than the other. My grandmother, mother, and I all worked hard that day, but our perception of our elders prevented us from seeing our own value. This story perfectly depicts the tendency each generation has to put their elders on a pedestal and disregard their own strengths. In addition, the way millennials work falsely strengthens the negative stereotype against them.
Along with the generation gap, millennials’ stereotype is exaggerated by their unique work style. Rampell explains by writing, “Perhaps most important, many of the behaviors that older generations interpret as laziness may actually enhance young people’s productivity” (Rampell 390). While many of the qualities today’s youth have adapted from the technology era may seem detrimental to older generations, these skills are actually beneficial to the workforce. Generation Y has been surrounded with technology since birth, and that has allowed them to learn to manage new innovations properly. As I move into my career as an agriculture teacher, I will be able to bring a highly useful asset older teachers will not have: technology. Through my education, I have been inundated with different, positive and negative, uses for new technology. Because my peers and I are able to effectively use technology, career fields across the workforce will begin to change and improve as we grow older. In addition, I have gained teamwork and time management skills that older people may view as the easy way out, but instead, my skills in technology guide me to the smarter way of accomplishing my goals. Older generations view Generation Y as lazy because their work techniques are unfamiliar and unprecedented.
Catherine Rampell’s essay, “A Generation of Slackers? Not So Much” explains the falsities in the stereotype that deems millennials lethargic; she flawlessly describes the perception of youth work ethic, effect of generation gaps, and usefulness of new work techniques. While the negative stereotype may fit a few, older generations cannot fairly declare all millennials lazy. A few individuals cannot represent an entire generation. Despite that fact, the cycle of elder superiority seems to have perpetuated American culture. Soon millennials will have a generation below them. Generation Y can choose to either perpetuate the negative cycle of demining youths’ value, or millennials can choose to appreciate the new skills and abilities that come with the future generation.
works cited
Miller, James S., and Catherine Rampell. “A Generation of Slackers? Not So Much.” Acting out Culture: Reading and Writing, 3rd
ed., Bedford/St. Martins, 2015, pp. 388–391.
ed., Bedford/St. Martins, 2015, pp. 388–391.