This Study Shows Millennials Aren’t Actually Lazy After All
Similar to all past generations, growing up as a millennial comes with a handful of unique problems. But there’s one problem that tops the list time and time again: Finding a career that we can make actual money at is damn near impossible. And it doesn’t help that people automatically assume millennials just don’t like to put in the work. Luckily, after years of trying to prove the haters wrong, a new study finally proves that millennials work just as hard as previous generations.
It’s no surprise that the amount of money millennials actually make is pretty sad, but our financial problems are much more widespread than we may think. Many young workers are either taking second jobs or sacrificing what they really want from their job just to be able to afford life’s daily bills. This means that most millennials can’t afford to buy homes, and with the renting market overpriced and overcrowded, there’s no wonder why it can sometimes feel like a losing battle just trying to make ends meet.
Plus, it appears that millennials are still having a hard time finding a good paying gig after the 2008 recession. According to a recent study by University of Illinois economics expert Eliza Forsythe, “Younger workers are less likely to be hired during recessions and, when they are hired, they tend to find lower-quality jobs and earn lower wages.”
With unemployment rates for 22-27-year-olds still hovering at a higher percentage than before the most recent recession, hiring managers have more staffing options than ever before — and the statistics show that they tend to favor older, more experienced workers, instead of taking a risk with a fresh college grad.
Even with all this stacked against us, the stereotype that millennials are lazy is probably more prevalent than ever before. However, according to a new comprehensive analysis led by Keith Zabel of Wayne State University, we can finally say with confidence that baby boomers do not have a stronger work ethic than millennials. The research team compiled a dataset of 77 published US studies that reported on the work ethic of Baby Boomers and younger generations. The analysis found no differences (we repeat, NO DIFFERENCES) in the work ethic of baby boomers and millennials — even when variables such as hours worked or commitment to family were considered.
So while it still may seem like being a millennial in the workforce is an uphill battle, take pride in knowing that your effort and work ethic will surely pay off in the long run. Oh, and a note to the haters: BACK OFF. SCIENCE SAYS WE ROCK.
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(Photos via Getty)
