Evaluate the claim that the worldviews of today's young people are more self-centered than those of previous generations.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

This issue has generated heated controversy. Analyses of large, nationally representative samples of U.S. young people, collected repeatedly over several decades, suggest that compared to past generations, the Millennial generation reports greater narcissism (egotistical self-admiration) and valuing of money and leisure, reduced empathy for the less fortunate, and less civic engagement. But other researchers claim that generational changes in egotism and other traits are so small as not to be meaningful. And gradual, age-related gains in selfesteem extending from adolescence through emerging adulthood and into midlife are similar across generations, with the average self-esteem of today's young people no higher than that of past cohorts.
Over these years, adults derive a greater sense of competence from making identity commitments, entering and succeeding at their careers, having families, and becoming involved in their communities. Furthermore, the importance to college students of attaining material wealth has not risen in recent decades. And in surveys of national samples of U.S. 18- to 29-year-olds, the overwhelming majority indicated that enjoyment of their work is more important than making a lot of money, and that it is important to have a career that "does some good in the world." Emerging adults do rate highly certain individualistic goals, such as career success and finding purpose in life, but these are balanced by high valuing of relationship goals, such as a good marriage and strong friendships.