Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled--and More Miserable Than Ever Before this question feed

asked by vcedwards on November 7, 2006 6:41 AM
The Associated Press calls them "The Entitlement Generation," and they are storming into schools, colleges, and businesses all over the country. They are today's young people, a new generation with sky-high expectations and a need for constant praise and fulfillment. In this provocative new book, headline-making psychologist and social commentator Dr. Jean Twenge documents the self-focus of what she calls "Generation Me" -- people born in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Herself a member of Generation Me, Dr. Twenge explores why her generation is tolerant, confident, open-minded, and ambitious but also cynical, depressed, lonely, and anxious.

Using findings from the largest intergenerational study ever conducted -- with data from 1.3 million respondents spanning six decades -- Dr. Twenge reveals how profoundly different today's young adults are -- and makes controversial predictions about what the future holds for them and society as a whole. But Dr. Twenge doesn't just talk statistics -- she highlights real-life people and stories and vividly brings to life the hopes and dreams, disappointments and challenges of Generation Me.With a good deal of irony, humor, and sympathy she demonstrates that today's young people have been raised to aim for the stars at a time when it is more difficult than ever to get into college, find a good job, and afford a house -- even with two incomes. GenMe's expectations have been raised just as the world is becoming more competitive, creating an enormous clash between expectations and reality. Dr. Twenge also presents the often-shocking truths about her generation's dramatically different sexual behavior and mores.

GenMe has created a profound shift in the American character, changing what it means to be an individual in today's society. Engaging, controversial, prescriptive, and often funny, Generation Me will give Boomers new insight into their offspring, and help GenMe'ers in their teens, 20s, and 30s finally make sense of themselves and their goals and find their road to happiness.




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How dare you write a book about peoples personal experiences that they share for support & you not even ONCE asked permission to use these stories! No way would I buy your book or promote it.
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reviewed by soulful on November 10, 2006 1:15 PM

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That this book should address a generation who supposedly suffers from entitlement issues is a joke within a mockery wrapped in a layer of irony. The author cites personal information from sources who were not asked, or even told, that their sensitive and heart-breaking stories would be included in a for-profit publication. Many of these people are extremely upset at being used in this fashion. For a supposed professional, Twenge's methods should be seriously called into question by the associations with which she aligns herself.
reviewed by theriver on November 29, 2006 5:23 AM

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I wonder if the author will ask permission to use peoples' personal (and very intimate) stories for her next book instead of stealing them.
reviewed by guitarplayer on November 29, 2006 5:42 AM

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Well, aside from the fact that "The Me Generation" is a common reference to the Baby Boomers thereby making "Generation Me" incredibly uninspired, Jean Twinge has not only taken much of "research" from copyrighted websites without their expressed consent, she has also lied about at least one of her sources. Some of the information she claims is from a particular website is clearly from another site. One of her "researched" tid bits is cited as being from a site that didn't even exisit at the time in question.
One can only wonder, is Jean lazy, confused, or just a liar?
reviewed by benzdrives on November 29, 2006 6:27 PM

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I loved this book. I found it to be well-researched and well-written. I even exclaimed "right on" a few times while reading it. the only reason I gave it 4 starts instead of 5 is because I dont think she understands evangelical Christians. Yes, God loves us as we are. But we are also flawed and sinful and weak and Christianity, the way it is meant to be practiced, has self-sacrifice, hard-work, good morals and ethics as priorities. it also denounces materialism and laziness. Christians, that truly follow Jesus, live in a way that she would approve. Volunteerism, donating money-time-resources, thinking of others before yourself, lending a hand to those who need it, etc etc.
reviewed by costa on November 29, 2006 7:07 PM

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