Oh, and then there’s young people.

Here’s this week’s reader question, which is really more of a request:

I think someone needs to explore the subject of the workforce crisis posed by the millennial generation. These kids are so unmotivated, undisciplined, illiterate and distracted, it poses a danger to the financial security of this country and workforce security as more of these kids move into adult jobs. Some parents have trained these kids to mistreat their elders and bad-mouth their co-workers/customers. It is almost like working with an alcoholic, they are so distracted from their work due to their problems. These kids, even nearing their 30s, are still supported by parents and absolutely act like they have nothing to lose as their parents are enablers, supporting their every firing, unplanned pregnancy, overspending emergency and drunken driving arrest without question. — C

Now, here’s my opinion about the millennial “crisis”.

Who are the millennials, and why are they so bad?

First, let’s define who we’re talking about. While there’s no precise definition, millennials are widely considered to be those now ranging in age from 18 to 33.

C begins his comment by saying, “I think someone needs to explore the subject of the workforce crisis posed by the millennial generation.” Well, C, here’s some good news. It’s been done. A lot. As one example, here’s a snippet from a 2007 article from CBS News.

They were raised by doting parents who told them they are special, played in little leagues with no winners or losers, or all winners. They are laden with trophies just for participating and they think your business-as-usual ethic is for the birds.

Here’s another, from a 2012 article in The Washington Post:

These are the kids, after all, who text their dads from meetings. They think “business casual” includes skinny jeans. And they expect the company president to listen to their “brilliant idea.” When will they adapt?

While comments like these make great fodder for TV and cocktail conversation, start by considering the source: old people.

I suspect those doing most of the complaining are from my generation, the baby boomers. If so, it’s particularly amusing, considering that when we were young, many of us were growing our hair, smoking dope, starting communes, rioting, streaking, engaging in sport sex, and marching on Washington for reasons ranging from war to women’s rights.

If memory serves, my parent’s generation didn’t think any of this was a great idea. They were as convinced as C seems now that we were all the same and as a group would amount to nothing, except perhaps a drain on society.

And this is the way I suspect it’s always been.

The point is, before we start complaining, let’s remember that older generations have always freaked out about the next few. And yet, here we are.

They really are different

People differ. Differences often translate into mistrust, which all too often morphs into disapproval. This is human nature and has always been true, whether it’s woman vs. man, black vs. white, Muslim vs. Christian or boomer vs. millennial.

And millennials are different. A few months ago, Pew Research published an article comparing the attitudes of today’s young adults with those of boomers. Some interesting findings:

• A third of millennials between the ages 26 to 33 have at least a four-year degree. That’s the most educated this age group has been in the history of the United States.
• Only 26 percent of millennials are married . At the same age, nearly half the boomers were.
• 55 percent have posted a “selfie” on a social media site . That’s about the same percentage of boomers who know what the term means.
• Just 19 percent of millennials agree with the statement, “Most people can be trusted.” Forty percent of boomers do.

Fret as much as you like, fellow older folks, but I’ll reserve my worry for more pressing matters. In the end, all generations will find a way.

After all, other than starvation, isn’t that our only option?