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The Beat Up Generation Analysis

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In the essay, “The Beat Up Generation”, by Abby Ellin (2014), within several discussions she explores and discusses the division and differences among generations that differ by age group starting with the baby boomers to the GenXers leading up to the generation today, the millennials. She uses factual evidence, examples, studies, and stereotypes to show how millennials are highly criticized by the older generations although they are better to adapt and needed in the changing world. The purpose of the essay is to point out these differences and criticism amongst the generations, how predecessor generations misunderstand the millennial generation. The intended audience refers to any individual that falls into the each generation. Before reading …show more content…

She uses stereotypes as one way to prove how predecessor generations feel about millennials, stating that they are just narcissistic, self-absorbed, opinionated, whiny individuals who are uneducated, lack focus and are not responsible (Ellin 205). The main rivalry is between the baby boomers and the millennials because they have opposing perspectives and characteristics. “Millennials have self-confidence and assuredness, and these characteristics can be off-putting to people in older generations who feel that because of their age and experience young people should be more deferential towards them”, says Julie Coates, an adult-learning specialist in River Falls, Wisconsin (Ellin 208). The predecessor’s generation feels that millennials are out of line but they are just reluctant to accept changing times because they are used to things being a certain way. In the end, the anger amongst predecessor’s generation towards millennials come out to be nothing but envy because they feel like they are obsolete (Ellin 211). In the words of Roy Cohen, an executive coach in New York, “they’re an extraordinary generation that we should be celebrating, not dumping on” (Ellin 212). The millennials generation is looked down on because they do not follow the old

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