Millennials have been pegged as “The Me Me Me” generation, but the majority do not want to be associated with the label.
A recent Public Religion Research Institute poll reported that only 34 percent of the 18-35 year olds referr to themselves as Millennials, while the other 66 percent prefer not be called one.
Of those surveyed, the demographic groups most likely to self-identify as a Millennial were liberals (43 percent), Asian-Pacific Islanders (45 percent), or college graduates (47 percent).
Those who didn’t want to identify as Millennials were primarily made up of survey respondents without internet at home (79 percent), those with a high school degree or less (76 percent), and conservatives (73 percent).
The term, which holds generally negative connotations, has become more widely used in the last few years than ever before to describe the generation.
According to the Washington Post:
It seems that incessant social media use and the subsequent narcissism which often is attributed as the reason for the fear of commitment and other shortcomings are the main reasons this digital generation is looked down upon. Not to mention their attachment with organized religion and current events, distrust of people, negative view of marriage, and increasing debt, according to a Pew Research Center report.
However, despite the mounting complaints against them, Millennials are also considered highly optimistic and eager to succeed. These are traits that will serve them well since they are the largest generation in the U.S. labor force, according to a different Pew study.
As history has proven, many things that are first seen as unfavorable or taboo often come to be widely accepted and embraced.
The 66 percent of millennials who wish to not be called one can take that fact to heart as it is yet to be seen what this generation can really do. As the infamous Time cover story suggested, they might just save us all.
