In an article in the June 13th edition of the Wichita Eagle by Associated Press reporter Martha Irvine, generational expert Neil Howe (who coined the term “Millennials,” has tagged this elementary school aged generation the “Homelanders.” Homelanders because all the national and global issues which face America today are helping to define the generation that will take our place. Could these children be the next “Silent Generation,” the article asks? Will they be defined as a generation with a solid work ethic? Will they mature knowing they’re less entitled to wealth than their predecessors, the Millennials?
As with the future, it’s always determined by the character of the people that make it, but I for one believe that all things are cyclical. This idea of ebb and flow is not new. It’s the course of nature and we’re no different. This next generation will see one or more recessions before they finally come of age and through those bits of adversity, they’ll leave the lessons that our parents tried to teach us. What’s more important that them learning the lessons, however, is our willingness to teach the lessons. We have to learn from these financial mistakes and missteps in order to teach the correct life lessons to our children. Ultimately, it’s our decision and our future. How will OUR character shape our children?
