Psychology and the Me Generation
jerikson40
New York
Clearly there are a number of people here who get visibly annoyed when others discuss psychology and/or analyzing stripper behavior. Not sure why, other than maybe they don't understand it and can't look smart in the discussions so they denigrate it, but anyway...
I find it real interesting to figure out why people do what they do. And I have a topic for discussion that involves some psychology, so if it annoys you don't bother reading. And there's a lot of stuff to read, so if reading stuff gives you a headache it's probably best you just move on to another thread.
Anyway, some of us were raised in the Baby Boomer generation, which was also called the "Me Generation". Which, IMO, was a fairly well deserved label. We had the hippies who were all about "self-fulfillment" and communal living, where they welched off of someone with money and didn't do any work, and cared only about taking drugs for their own benefit.
After the Baby Boomers (born in the '40's, '50's, and 1960's) were the Generation X'ers (born in the 1960's thru 1980's), followed by the Millenials (born in 1980's thru 2000's). Which means the current crop of strippers are Millenials, probably born around the late 1980's or early 1990's.
Now what I've noticed in the years since the internet and cellphones and technology became super important in the Millenial generation is the widespread belief that people who are really into this technology (which makes Facebook and texting and networking possible) are seen as very social and networked and with lots of "friends".
I've always felt that the opposite is true. I've always believed that if Baby Boomers are the "Me Generation", then Millenials are the "You mean there are other people??" Generation. People spend hours and hours alone at their computers or with their noses buried in their cellphones, not interacting with people in person.
And in reality, in my view, all of this technology gives them nothing more than entertainment. Ways to goof online, and share stupid videos of a cat playing the piano, and joking with your 'buddies' via text about what a dork your Science teacher is. It's not about getting personal and connected with real friends, nor is it about using the internet for learning and other honorable endeavors. It's about goofing around with people you've never met so you don't have to get off your butt and deal with real people in real life. And it's about having an outlet where everyone can say stuff and give their opinions, which nobody else really cares about or listens to.
Anyway, there is a recent book entitled "Generation Me" which cites a number of studies that conclude that, according to the author, "PopÂuÂlar views of the milÂlenÂniÂal generaÂtÂion, born in the 1980s and 1990s, as more carÂing, comÂmunÂity-oriented and polÂiÂticÂally enÂgaged than preÂviÂous generaÂtÂions are largely inÂcorÂrect, parÂticÂuÂlarly when comÂpared to baÂby boomers and GeneraÂtÂion X at the same age,†said the stuÂdy's lead auÂthor, Jean Twenge, a psyÂcholÂoÂgist at San DieÂgo State UniÂversÂity and auÂthor of the book GeneraÂtÂion Me. “These daÂta show that reÂcent generaÂtÂions are less likely to emÂbrace comÂmunÂity mindÂedÂness and are foÂcusÂing more on monÂey, imÂage and fame.â€
Now my intent is not to rag on young people, just to point out that there seems to be an interesting trend that might help our understanding of how and why young people, including strippers, act. Especially when you see conclusions like this:
"...the proÂporÂtion of stuÂdents who said beÂing wealthy was very imÂporÂtant to them rose from 45 perÂcent for baÂby boomers (surÂveyed beÂtween 1966 and 1978) to 70 perÂcent for GeneraÂtÂion Xers (surÂveyed beÂtween 1979 and 1999) and 75 perÂcent for milÂlenÂniÂals (surÂveyed beÂtween 2000 and 2009)."
So if you notice that strippers seem self involved, acting rude because they're locked into their cellphones, and only interested in money, then you might understand why.
Again, I'm not ragging on young folks. In fact, we all know of some wonderful young folks, including strippers. But this is merely a discussion of generational trends across many people.
I find it real interesting to figure out why people do what they do. And I have a topic for discussion that involves some psychology, so if it annoys you don't bother reading. And there's a lot of stuff to read, so if reading stuff gives you a headache it's probably best you just move on to another thread.
Anyway, some of us were raised in the Baby Boomer generation, which was also called the "Me Generation". Which, IMO, was a fairly well deserved label. We had the hippies who were all about "self-fulfillment" and communal living, where they welched off of someone with money and didn't do any work, and cared only about taking drugs for their own benefit.
After the Baby Boomers (born in the '40's, '50's, and 1960's) were the Generation X'ers (born in the 1960's thru 1980's), followed by the Millenials (born in 1980's thru 2000's). Which means the current crop of strippers are Millenials, probably born around the late 1980's or early 1990's.
Now what I've noticed in the years since the internet and cellphones and technology became super important in the Millenial generation is the widespread belief that people who are really into this technology (which makes Facebook and texting and networking possible) are seen as very social and networked and with lots of "friends".
I've always felt that the opposite is true. I've always believed that if Baby Boomers are the "Me Generation", then Millenials are the "You mean there are other people??" Generation. People spend hours and hours alone at their computers or with their noses buried in their cellphones, not interacting with people in person.
And in reality, in my view, all of this technology gives them nothing more than entertainment. Ways to goof online, and share stupid videos of a cat playing the piano, and joking with your 'buddies' via text about what a dork your Science teacher is. It's not about getting personal and connected with real friends, nor is it about using the internet for learning and other honorable endeavors. It's about goofing around with people you've never met so you don't have to get off your butt and deal with real people in real life. And it's about having an outlet where everyone can say stuff and give their opinions, which nobody else really cares about or listens to.
Anyway, there is a recent book entitled "Generation Me" which cites a number of studies that conclude that, according to the author, "PopÂuÂlar views of the milÂlenÂniÂal generaÂtÂion, born in the 1980s and 1990s, as more carÂing, comÂmunÂity-oriented and polÂiÂticÂally enÂgaged than preÂviÂous generaÂtÂions are largely inÂcorÂrect, parÂticÂuÂlarly when comÂpared to baÂby boomers and GeneraÂtÂion X at the same age,†said the stuÂdy's lead auÂthor, Jean Twenge, a psyÂcholÂoÂgist at San DieÂgo State UniÂversÂity and auÂthor of the book GeneraÂtÂion Me. “These daÂta show that reÂcent generaÂtÂions are less likely to emÂbrace comÂmunÂity mindÂedÂness and are foÂcusÂing more on monÂey, imÂage and fame.â€
Now my intent is not to rag on young people, just to point out that there seems to be an interesting trend that might help our understanding of how and why young people, including strippers, act. Especially when you see conclusions like this:
"...the proÂporÂtion of stuÂdents who said beÂing wealthy was very imÂporÂtant to them rose from 45 perÂcent for baÂby boomers (surÂveyed beÂtween 1966 and 1978) to 70 perÂcent for GeneraÂtÂion Xers (surÂveyed beÂtween 1979 and 1999) and 75 perÂcent for milÂlenÂniÂals (surÂveyed beÂtween 2000 and 2009)."
So if you notice that strippers seem self involved, acting rude because they're locked into their cellphones, and only interested in money, then you might understand why.
Again, I'm not ragging on young folks. In fact, we all know of some wonderful young folks, including strippers. But this is merely a discussion of generational trends across many people.
Got something to say?
Start your own discussion
34 comments
No offense but psychological discussions are best left for psychologists, not a bunch of strip club customers who routinely make sweeping generalizations and demonstrate an almost total lack of willingness to change their opinions.
Doesn't mean I'm right, but it also doesn't mean I'm not allowed to discuss the results of people who study this stuff.
Now, if you have any books you've read or studies you've seen which have a contradictory position, I'd love to hear about it. Or do you just not like the conclusion so you get angry?
Write a book/conduct a study, then you become an expert!
Not necessarily, but at least if gives you more information to base a decision on than some moron who has opinions based on nothing but emotion.
And now we wait for the useless comment from our resident asshole Dougster.
Your suggestion that I'm "angry" is inaccurate and a weak attempt to dismiss what I said.
YAWN!
You could have passed it at Florida State if you played football.
When is the jestie-girl ever not angry? Anger is the whole essence of his being.
I'm sorry if you thought the study was insulting, but like I say, I didn't write it. I just presented it to you guys. Is that ragging on someone? No, ragging on someone is giving someone shit just because you don't like them, without any supporting information. The kind of stuff people on this forum do on a regular basis. I, on the other hand, gave a reference to people who did a lot of work and surveyed many people over decades.
If someone does a lot of studying of something, should I ignore it and agree with someone who presents NO information or studies to back up their position?
I also gave some opinions based on my own experience. I'm sorry if you disagree with my opinions, but there's not much I can do about that. However, I am more than willing to change my opinion if you or others can provide me some reasonable information that leads to a different conclusion. Why not try that instead of attacking?
Gators are #2 and soon to be #1 team in the BCS!
"It's not about getting personal and connected with real friends, nor is it about using the internet for learning and other honorable endeavors. It's about goofing around with people you've never met so you don't have to get off your butt and deal with real people in real life."
“These daÂta show that reÂcent generaÂtÂions are less likely to emÂbrace comÂmunÂity mindÂedÂness and are foÂcusÂing more on monÂey, imÂage and fame.â€
I don't see how you could call any of those three quotes anything but insulting. You wrote two of those. The third you did not, but you do seem to agree with it.
What you said amounts to this: "A lot of people sure do think those people from Nebraska are boring. Personally I think all they ever do is talk about Corn and Football, it's pretty worthless. Here's a study that says most people from Nebraska are considered boring. Now I'm not trying to insult anybody from Nebraska but I just thought this might let everybody know why most people from Nebraska suck ass."
Unrelated: I'm curious though, did you look at any other research. Perhaps professional reviews/criticisms of a book that was clearly written for profit? A quick google searched showed several academic pieces that question both her findings and her methods.
But the point is (from my experience) that these young dancers claim to be so connected and have so many "friends" and are in constant contact with unlimited texts and all, but this generation is losing its ability to converse and interact in person. The art of conversation is drying up, where people actually look at each other in the eyes, listen to each other, and respond honestly without just scoring points or waiting for the other person to take a breath so that they can jump in.
I am not trying to denigrate an entire generation. I am just calling it like I see it. For a generation that is proud of its connectedness and multi-tasking, it is starving for real human interaction.
My point exactly.
And jester, what I said may be offensive. In fact, I'm sure it is to some people. But I don't care. To the extent it's true, whether or not some find it offensive is irrelevant. Because, especially in the Millenial generation, people go out of their way to find ways to be offended. They don't care about issues and facts, they care about how it was said. Offending someone has become the #1 most shocking crime in the US. People have become absolutely incapable of accepting criticism, dealing with it like an adult, and maybe even agreeing with it if it's true.
You see that here all the time. Most people here are absolutely INCAPABLE of accepting anything that proves them wrong, or even any contrary opinions that don't agree with them, without freaking out and getting upset and offended and calling people names.
It's childish.
Now, I'm sure I've offended even more people by what I just said. But I don't care. Deal with it like an adult.
That pretty much sums up your entire response.
As usual, you're great at knocking people down with cute and meaningless one liners, but why not provide a reasoned response? Or don't you have one?
"I think you're rude, and I don't like your opinion, and even though you presented a study that references other studies and agrees with your opinion, I don't like your opinion. However, I don't have anything that supports my disagreement, and all I can provide is some talk about a google search that shows there are some people out there who disagree with the study you referenced. But it's up to you to do more research to prove that you're wrong. Okay?"
You started out saying you weren't trying to insult anyone, while insulting them. <--- My original point.
Now it's "I don't care if I'm being offensive, I'm proud of it". <--- What you really meant from the start.
Since you can't address my actual point you've twisted it. Also you never did answer my question. A related question: Have you actually read this book, or did you just read something about the book?
You started out saying you weren't trying to insult anyone, while insulting them. <--- My original point
Now you don't care if you offend anyone and appear to be proud of it. <--- What you meant from the beginning.
Since you can't address my actual point, you've twisted my comments so you can respond. You also failed to answer my question, so here's another. Have you actually read this book or did you just read an article about the book?
Okay, if it would make you feel better, I can erase what I said and re-say it:
"It's fully my intent to rag on young folks with this post..."
Now, how does that change any of the issues I discussed? It doesn't. Either what I said, and what was said in the article, is reasonable or it isn't. If you don't agree with it, then fine. Either make a better case or state your opinion and move on. Okay?
It's like they're crack babies. They want what they want, and what's wrong with that? Why should they have to suffer through something they DON'T want?
Well, kiddies, when you only get what you want, sometimes you don't get what you need. :P
The Gators really took a big bite out of the ole ball coach today. Go Gators!
If I posted a study, or even several studies, that refuted or disagreed with this book it wouldn't matter because it was never about science or psychology. It was a potshot.
On the subject of younger generations being more concerned about money: I initially thought that recent severe recession could be a contributing factor, but further examination reveals that all 3 generational survey periods experienced at least one deep recession, and at least 1 or 2 other recessions. Other studies show that income/wealth distribution has become more lopsided since 1966 (earliest year in survey), and particularly more so since ~ early 80's onward. So, lack of money (real or perceived) could be a driver here.
We are all 'Me' generations whatever may be the year of our births.