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ME , MYSPACE, AND I

by Larry Rosen Ph.D.


Parenting the Net Generation:

Help! Is it Healthy that my Kids are Always “Wired” and Doing a Zillion Things at the Same Time?

OF COURSE YOUR KIDS DRIVE YOU CRAZY! They grew up with technology everywhere and it is their life. We are in the midst of the three most distinct and different generations in history. Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964), Generation X (1965-1979), and the Net Generation (born after 1979) differ in personal values, work ethic, and every which way you can imagine. Much of these differences come from the rapid emergence of electronic technology over the past 20 years. The young kids were born steeped in technology and populate MySpace, text message furiously, and define themselves by their technological savvy and their virtual presence. They are multitasking whizzes and eagerly gobble up new technology. Baby Boomers grew up in the post-war economy where technology meant a television set or a radio. Generation Xers fit somewhere in between. Many were born into technology while others embraced the Internet as it began to emerge as a major force in our lives. They may be computer savvy, but they are nowhere near their tech-fanatic younger siblings or children. The characteristics that best highlight these differences are shown in the table below from research and interviews that I have done over more than 25 years with tens of thousands of children, teens, parents, business executives, and school teachers. Be forewarned. Not everyone in a generation can be labeled by these characteristics. I, for example, am a Baby Boomer, but possess many of the Gen X and Net Gen qualities, thanks to my four children and thousands of students who have carried me along with them to this new, exciting, and often overwhelming world of always connected, always multitasking children, adolescents, and young adults. See how well you fit your generation and note how different the other generations view their world. My book, Me, MySpace, and I: Parenting the Net Generation, helps you understand these kids and so that everyone, regardless of age or generation, understands the others and develops a healthy safe family environment.
PERSONAL VALUES
  Baby Boomers Gen Xers Net Generation
Core Values Optimism, Involvement Skepticism, Fun, Informality Realism, Confidence, Extreme Fun, Social
Level of Trust Confident of Self Low Trust of Authority High Trust of Authority
Upbringing Indulged Alienated Protected
Family Disintegrating Latch-Key Kids Merged families
Education Freedom of Expression is Birthright Pragmatic, A way To Get There Structure of Accountability, An Incredible Expense
Political Orientation Attack Oppression Apathetic, Individual Crave Community
Dealing With Money Buy Now, Pay Later Cautious, Conservative, Save, Save, Save Earn to Spend
Communication In Person Direct, Immediate E-Mail, Voice Mail
Communication Media Telephones Cell Phones Internet, Picture Phones, E-Mail, IM
Likes Responsibility, Work Ethic, Meetings Freedom, Multitasking, Work-Life Balance Public Activism, Latest Technology, Parents, Multitasking to the nth Degree
Dislikes Laziness Red Tape, Talking it Out, Meetings Anything Slow, Negativity
WORK VALUES
  Baby Boomers Gen Xers Net Generation
Career Goals Build a Strong Career Build a Career by Trying Many Jobs Build Many Possible Careers
Work and Family Life No Balance. Work is Life Work is Work. Life is What is Important Balance
Work Ethic Workaholics, Work is Personally Fulfilling, The Process is Important Self-Reliance, Want Deadlines But Want to Do it on Their Own Time Plan Multitasking, Goal Oriented, Social Interaction is Important, too
Leadership Style Collegial, Everyone Has a Voice But the Boss Makes the Rules Everyone is the Same, Challenge Others, Ask Why Team Oriented
Loyalty to Institutions Cynical Naïve Committed
Workplace Interactive Style Team Player, Loves Meetings Entrepreneurial Participative, Social
Workplace Rewards Title and Corner Office Free Time is the Best Reward Meaningful, Interesting Work
Workplace Evaluation Once a Year in a Written Evaluation At the End of Every Project With Lots of Rewards Whenever I Want it. At the Push of a Button, Often and in Person
Messages that Motivate You are Valued. You are Needed Do it your Way. Forget the Rules You Will Work with Bright, Creative People
"Help! My Teen is Driving Me Crazy!"

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About the Author:

Dr. Larry Rosen is a professor of psychology at California State University and is the co-author of Technostress. He is an international expert on the psychology of technology, writes for The National Psychologist, and has been featured in USA Today, Newsweek, on Good Morning America, CNN, as the expert in parenting Net Generation children, adolescents, and young adults. As quoted by one nationally known parenting expert, “Dr. Rosen brings insights, humor, and a balanced approach to how parents can understand and deal with this particularly challenging phenomenon.” He lives in San Diego, California.

05/30/2008

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