Millennials. The much-maligned generation that is supposedly lazy, entitled, and addicted to social media and avocado toast. They’re also the first generation to come of age in the new millennium. However, they’ve been given a pretty crappy hand by the cards they were dealt.
Let’s not mince words – the Millennial generation is facing a lot of challenges that boomers didn’t experience. From skyrocketing student debt to an unstable job market and heavy pressure on their time, Millennials have a unique set of stresses that can make daily life seem overwhelming. Here are eight ways in which millennial lives are harder than the boomers.
#1. Student Debt
Millennials are the most educated generation in history, but they’re also saddled with more student debt than any other generation.
The average millennial graduated college with over $30,000 in student loans, and many are still paying them off well into their 30s.
#2. Jobs Market
When boomers graduated from college, they could pretty much guarantee themselves a good job if they had a decent GPA and applied themselves.
For Millennials, the job market is way more competitive (and often requires unpaid internships just to get your foot in the door). And forget about finding a job that pays a livable wage – those are few and far between these days.
#3. Cost of Living
Boomers could easily afford a house and a car on one salary; however, many Millennials live in a state of economic insecurity, as they are one paycheck away from being unable to pay their bills.
This can be a result of low-paying jobs, high levels of student loan debt, or unexpected expenses such as medical bills or car repairs. Economic insecurity can lead to anxiety and stress, which can impact mental health.
#4. Health Care
Back in the day, employer-sponsored health care was relatively affordable and easy to come by.
These days, many companies don’t offer health care at all – or if they do, it’s so expensive that it’s basically unusable for low-wage workers.
And thanks to rising deductibles and copays, even those with health insurance often can’t actually afford to use it when they need it.
#5. Climate Change
By 2050, the world could be unrecognizable due to climate change.
Millennials will witness firsthand the devastating effects of rising sea levels, extreme weather patterns, and dwindling resources.
Boomers won’t have to deal with this reality until they’re retired or dead. Talk about intergenerational injustices!
#6. Social Media
Social media use is common among Millennials, and it can often have a negative impact on mental health.
Social networking sites can cause feelings of envy and inadequacy as people compare their lives to the seemingly perfect lives of others.
Additionally, social media can be a breeding ground for cyberbullying and other forms of harassment
#7. High Cost of Housing
In the past few years, it’s become increasingly common for young adults between the ages of 18 – 34 to still be at home with their folks.
For boomers looking at their grandkids, it can be difficult to relate to a situation that makes it very difficult to find affordable housing.
The high cost of living has made purchasing property close to an impossibility for many young people, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult for them to keep up with rising housing costs.
#8. Mental Illness
Mental health issues are common among Millennials. In fact, one in five adults aged 18-34 has a mental illness.
This can be attributed to a variety of factors, including economic insecurity, social media use, and the pressure to succeed. These mental health issues can lead to problems with work and relationships and compound the problem.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Roman Samborskyi.