Two things you do in this entry are very bratty:

1) Defend Gen Y against being called brats: This is definitely one of those times when you should let it go. Name calling is never good (and that Boomer name called you) - and name calling does not deserve a response.

2) Dogging other generations in order to make your point is also bratty. You didn't have to diss Xers and Boomers to make your point. That pretty pulls you down to the name caller's level. Your argument would have just as strong without the insult. And here's what I'm talking about:

"Whereas Boomers and Xers want to work hard within the certain businesses that they call a job, Yers want to help out their business, but also be involved elsewhere in the community. "

This implies that Boomers and Xers only work hard at their jobs, not their community. You know that's not true (if you are out working as a community builder, that is.)

As a fellow Gen Y, unfortunately, I have to agree with GenerationXpert. These "defense" posts often further the stereotype.

"I feel that Generation Y is more open, honest and willing to learn than any other generation out there."

I'm glad you started with "I feel", whereas many would have stated this as an absolute fact. I feel our generation thinks we're much more unique/special than we actually are.

I look at my little sister (Gen Z?) and she seems to be an "idealistic know it all", which is how many GenXers describe us. While it's nice to see her idealism, how much she wants to initiate change and get involved, I see that enthusiasm only gets you so far. At some point, you need some concrete life experience.

Is this how Boomers perceived Xs in the past? How Xs perceive Ys today and ultimately how Ys will perceive Zs tomorrow?

Have we considered that all these descriptions (resourceful, idealistic, motivated for change, bratty, etc.) may simply be traits of YOUTH rather than a particular generation?

well said @ian.... "Have we considered that all these descriptions (resourceful, idealistic, motivated for change, bratty, etc.) may simply be traits of YOUTH rather than a particular generation?"

Please don't catagorize Gen X with the Boomers. If you'd take a moment to do a little research, you'll come to find that we're more on your wavelength than that of the life/space sucking generation before us.

The process of "figuring it out" is not only valuable because you learn something from it, but it also goes to your character.

It's like if you are a student and you want the teacher to give you the test answers in advance of the test. All you learn there is how to provide the right test answer. You have not committed any time to do actual problem solving. Business wants hedgehogs - not lemmings.

And there will be times where no one has the answer or the ability to tell you what to do. It goes back to the greatest weakness of some GenY folk - when they get thrown in the pool they can't or don't know how to swim. I blame their parents for that though.

I will say the one thing I really, truely agree with in this blog is the idea that Gen Y does WANT to work. Gen Y wants to work, and feel good about the work we are doing, we want to put our name on quality work. When passionate about something I have never seen more power put into that task then with Gen Y.(Obama anyone? The movement from college aged kids was insane! Even garnering jokes on youtube!)

However, just as the article points out, Gen Y is also very good at not being productive if they do not feel stimulated, or appreciated. Often times older Boomers who run the work place have such a hard time realizing the way in which Gen Y works we tend to get cycled through. I'm sure that is where the thought process starts, because, afterall, to a baby boomer, if we're not working hard, at our desk for 8 hours a day, we're being lazy. If we want flex time, we're demanding, and if we want to wear flip flops to work we're definitely not professional. Thus leading to a stupid stereotype of "Brat."

The only thing that is for sure is that with time all these boomers who are making my career miserable right now will soon be in wheelchairs and retirement homes and we can finally run the business world the way we see fit. :-)

*Also, to all Gen Xers- no offense, but typically (yes I am generalizing) you do tend to fall in line with senior management, with the boomers. You do and say what is expected of you because you don't want to rock the boat. Perhaps this is because you know you're next in line for the next big promotion... I don't blame you. But change in the workplace is not going to come without being full of a little piss and vinegar.