Generation Y is quite simply the generation that followed Generation X and includes people born from 1982-2001. So anyone between 8 and 26 currently falls into this generation (2009). However, people have many different opinions on the start and end dates, but I like to stick with the definition from the Generation Guru William Strauss. My work tends to fall into the late Gen Y category or as some call them, Gen O, Gen Z or the Millennials.

Why Classify Generation Y ?

It is important for us to loosely classify generations, as each generation will be shaped in a different way from the one before. Generations are formed, they don't just happen. So many things have an impact on the consciousness of a generation including technology, local and global events, economics, education, attitudes, social factors, environmental issues, the list goes on. Generation Y were born and brought up by parents who believed in equality and self-development, they have nearly always known technology, they are used to the over-sexualisation of things, they see people becoming famous and making loads of money with apparent ease and they have seen the world shrinking. I could go on, as they are so many factors that have an impact on this current generation. The generational shift is, I believe, the way of the world, learning and moving forward each generation, coming to challenge the thoughts and systems of the generation before. Take Generation Y for example, they have seen their parents struggle, working long hours for little money and with no time for them (4.7 % of their time is spent with their parents) and they are coming into the work place challenging the system, refusing to work long hours and putting their social life first. Most employees are seeing them as wrong when really, I think we should be embracing the change and seeing what we can learn from it. We do ourselves no good by trying to change them.

Shifts in society happen through generational pressure

Most shifts in society have come about through generational pressure - think about the rise in the 80's of the female executive - I mean, I still sometimes feel guilty that I could not live up to the ideal of Melanie Griffiths in Working Girl. It is no surprise that Generation X (some of the parents of Gen Y) was known as the Baby Bust Generation, since we were so busy trying to get to the top, we forgot to have children.

The Hero Generation

Gen Y are believed by most to be the Hero Generation. Heroic leaders are considered to be vigorous and rational institution-builders, busy and competent in old age. All of them entering midlife as aggressive advocates of technological progress, economic prosperity, social harmony, and public optimism. There recent rallying behind Obama and his consequential win speak to this.

Generation Z?

And soon Generation Z, born after 2001, are coming up. I do not doubt that they will bring a whole new set of challenges. Born into a downturn in the economy they will have very different view on life. Generation Z are believed by most to bring equality and fairness back. Artistic leaders, they will be advocates of fairness and the politics of inclusion, irrepressible in the wake of failure. And I certainly can see these characteristics in my little Gen Z, who has such a innate knowledge of what is fair, it is incredible.

The Impact of Gen Y

Generation Y is impacting us massively, in fact so greatly that we are changing the way universities and businesses are conducting their business. Obsessed about their children's success, some parents have become over-protective and the phenomenon of helicopter parenting has been born. This generation is becoming an "over-achieving, over-scheduled" generation. Right or wrong, we have a duty to understand this generation and treat them accordingly, while ensuring we still keep the fabric of society together.

Here are some very general and quite simple things to note about Gen Y

1. Peers are so important to them -- cutting off peer communication with them is like cutting off a leg.

2. Technology is the way they communicate; you just need to accept it, understand it and get to know the technology yourself. Conversations as we know them are a thing of the past and while their abbreviations over their phones and social media may be something we don't agree with, it is what is.

3. They do have a sense of entitlement but only because, as a society, we have told them they can be anything they choose, so we cannot be cross at them for it. What we must never do is lower our expectations of them. We must expect the best from them and give them constant feedback on the progress.

4. Gen Y have an openness in regards to sexual and romantic lifestyles that prior generations find baffling. Most of them are familiar with divorce and single parenting. Telling them to wait for the right one may just be falling on deaf ears. We need to accept that sex does have a different meaning for them and ensure they are safe.

5. Go to college, get a good job and you're set for life. This is just not going to wash with them. A huge majority of them are already making money on line and selling their unwanted items on E-bay is common place. They have seen friends and people in the media make it big without any qualifications, so why is it important? They believe in themselves and their ability to make money in general.

6. Things are instant - food, information, books, music, what you want you can mostly get very, very quickly. So their impatience is part of who they are.

7. They are incredible multi-taskers. So listening to music, watching the TV, updating facebook and doing homework may well just work for them. And yes, we do have to make allowances. Why? Because to understand then and engage them we cannot see their lives from our point of view. Let's face it, things were different when we were children. Also the sheer numbers of them and the forceful nature of their parents is meaning we have to sit up and take notice. To ignore this generation who are claimed to be the hero generation is foolish and short sighted. We only have to look at the Obama campaign to realise that this generation has a very loud voice.

And if you still think teenagers are worse now than they have ever been, here is what Socrates said about them.

"The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers."

This is not meant as a lecture but more of a discussion. I do not see myself as THE expert, just a voice willing to learn, change and accept others point of view. I would love to know what you think so please join the discussion below.

Here is a great video that explains Generation Y really well ( yes I know it is American and not everything is American, even I'm not, however it is a good video)