The Issues - The Millennials

You've heard of Boomers and Gen Xers. The Millennials are the generation born during or after 1982. They're unlike any other youth generation in living memory—better educated, more affluent, more numerous, more ethnically diverse.

They don't fit traditional stereotypes of teenagers. Even though they're a generation of extremes—extreme sports, extreme violence, extreme hair, extreme fashion—these teens have a tremendous focus on teamwork, achievement, modesty, and good conduct. The Millennials may look extreme, but deep inside they long for ideals to believe in, a purpose to pursue, and a family or group of friends to accompany them. They want to revive family traditions and rebuild community and social institutions. The rise of the Millennials provides hope, not despair!

"When people care about children enough to invest in their lives, something magical happens. When cultural messages are relentlessly negative, youth have a particular need for mature adults to take them aside, give them a hug, and tell them, quietly and convincingly, an entirely different story." (Seven Cries of Today's Teens, Timothy Smith)

Nine out of ten teens want an adult mentor (Timothy Smith)! The Millennials are worth standing behind! Courage for Youth stands behind them!

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