by JustineJames on February 27, 2008
The term ‘helicopter parents’ sometimes crops up, particularly in the US, to describe the phenomena of baby boomer parents taking a (some may say) overly active interest into every element of their Gen Y kids lives – there are even stories of parents turning up to their kids first interviews…
But have a thought for the Gen Y of China. Since the one-child-per-family laws were passed in 1979, all members of China’s Gen Y are singletons. That has to have an effect on the psyche of a whole generation.
Now I’m not saying that we are into ‘super’ helicopter parenting – living standards in the West and China in the 80s and 90s were very different after all – but we would expect to see the effects of two devoted parents showering all their undivided attention onto one child working its way through into that childs values and attitudes.
With some major western firms now recruiting about 10% of their graduate talent from China, we’re looking into this effect in our next round of research – we’ll keep you posted on what we find.
Simon Walker
by Sally Bibb on February 5, 2008
Penelope Trunk has written an ‘alternative’ career guide to help Gen Ys and Gen Xers steer their way through the career maze.
In this excerpt from an interview she gives her views on what to do if you work for a terrible boss and other interesting questions.
Question: How much money does it take to be happy?
Answer: It takes about $40,000. It does not matter how many kids you have or what city you live in—that’s splitting hairs because peoples’ happiness levels are largely based on their level of optimism and the quality of their relationships. So as long as you have enough money for food and shelter, your optimism level kicks in to dictate how happy you are.
Question: Is it more important to be competent or likable?
Answer: People would actually rather work with someone who is incompetent and likeable than competent and unlikable. [click to continue…]
by Sally Bibb on February 3, 2008
It is fascinating to view the Clinton/Obama contest through a generational lens. This piece gives an interesting analysis of the effect that generational values is having on voting.
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_8126633
Sally Bibb
by Sally Bibb on February 1, 2008
I know I am supposed to be more understanding than most on the subject of generations and the differences between us. But last night I struggled to keep my Gen X work values to myself.
I was speaking to a 17 year old about his problems with college. He is doing a 2 year course that will allow him to do work that he is passionate about. But he hates the course, isn’t keeping up with it, doesn’t like the way the tutors are teaching and has, so far, handed all his assignments in late. It indeed sounded like the teaching methods are very old fashioned and uninspiring to Gen Y.
But the young man in question told me he messes around in class, can’t motivate himself to do his work on time and is thinking of dropping out of the course, even though he really wants the qualification. I felt like saying a number of things including: “you have to work hard for what you want”, “struggle through now and the reward will come later”, ”just stop messing around and apply yourself”, “the teachers are unlikely to change their teaching methods for you, get over it”, and all sorts of variations.
The killer was when he huffed and said “they just don’t realise we are a different generation” – the subtext being that the older generation should make allowances and change their ways. It’s unlikely to happen I reckon. It is more a case of each generation needing to understand the other and meet half way. Maybe I will email the college and offer them some help…..
Sally Bibb
Loading ...