A year and a half ago I began talking about the Millennial Generation on my blog, in large part because my son, Jess, and I decided to research this generation and offer an early assessment of them. Our project is finally complete: a recently released book called The Millennials with B&H Publishing. I commend it to you.
In future posts I’ll unpack key aspects of our research about this important generation. But for now, I’d like to present a few broad and general insights about the Millennials that will serve as a foundation for later discussions.
Who are the Millennials?
I have identified Millennials to be those born between 1980 and 2000, primarily on the basis of clear spikes in the number of live births during these years. The research for the book specifically examined older Millennials—those born between 1980 and 1991. This representative sample has given us a clear look into who the Millennials are.
At first, I labeled this group the “Bridger Generation,” since they bridge one millennium to the next. Obviously, the term didn’t stick. Others tried to name them “Generation Y” or apply other labels. Now, it seems, most have agreed to call this generation “Millennials.”
The sheer size of the Millennial Generation is staggering. Between 1980 and 2000, nearly 78 million live births took place. Compare that with the Boomer Generation, which nearly had 76 million live births from 1946 to 1964. Like the Boomers, the Millennials are just too big to ignore.
Several key insights rose to the top in our research about this generation. Painting with broad strokes, the Millennials:
- Value education. In 2007, the first year the 25-29 year old group was entirely comprised of Millennials, 30 percent had attained a college degree.
- Tarry to marry. Millennials marry much later in life, if at all, than in previous generations. Perhaps one reason why is because about 65 percent choose to cohabitate, at least once, prior to marriage.
- Reflect diversity. Millennials are the most diverse generation in American history, representing a shrinking Anglo population and a growing Hispanic, Black, and Asian demographic.
As the Boomers shaped so much of American culture for most of the last half of the 20th century, so the Millennials will for the first half of the 21st century. Like the Boomers, Millennials have caught the attention of businesses, schools, media, churches and other organizations, who recognize their influence, potential, and buying power.
What are the Millennials like?
First, they are a hopeful generation. In our study, about 96% of Millennials indicated that they can do something great. A generation of optimists, for sure! One conclusion might be that Millennials are naïve and disconnected. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Millennials, largely, are realists who know that all is not well in the world. But, they believe they can have a role in changing it and making a difference with their lives.
Second, they are a relational generation. Perhaps this is why social networks like Twitter and Facebook are thriving in our culture. Millennials want to communicate and connect with others, there is no doubt about it. Relationships at work and with friends are valued highly, but so also are family relationships. I was encouraged to find that 9 out of 10 Millennials said their parents had a positive influence on them.
Third, they are a generation of learners. I’ve already mentioned that they value education, but more should be said. There are reasons why Millennials are receiving undergraduate degrees at a rate that surpasses all previous generations. Many in our study indicated two main reasons why they frenetically pursue education: parents and pragmatics. Millennials listen to their parents’ advice, especially regarding education. But Millennials also desire to get ahead, and one factor that separates them from each other in the work force is education.
Fourth, they are a less religious generation. I have to admit that this aspect grieves me, but motivates me as well (imagine the missiological implications!). Only 13 percent of the Millennials considered in our study said that spirituality of any type was important to them. One out of ten. Most Millennials don’t even think about religious matters at all. This generation is not antagonistic toward religion, especially Christianity, but rather agnostic toward all aspects of religion.
More about Millennials
I love this generation because my three sons are all Millennials. I see their potential, their influence, their desires, and their impact. I am proud of them, and I am hopeful for their generation.
Theirs is the generation of Britney Spears, LeBron James, Chelsea Clinton, and the Olsen twins. Millennials are already defining a new millennium and they will shape and influence our world for decades to come. Are we ready for them? Are churches in America prepared to understand and engage this enormous, important generation?
I too am very interested in what we can do to reach this generation. Your book is the next one on my reading list. I’m also looking forward to hearing you speak at the upcoming Mississippi Baptist Evangelism Conference, being held at my church later this month. Thanks for this research. It reflects what I’m seeing as we try to reach out to this generation.
Wade -
Thanks for the good word. I look forward to seeing you in Mississippi.
Thom,
Thanks so much for the book. I am a 43 year old pastor and I am very burdened about losing the younger generations. I have challenged our church to make some changes in order to reach them and they have been very receptive. Your book helped me focus more on how to make that happen, so I just wanted to say thanks.
Ben -
Thank you for your kind words. It is my prayer that the book can be used to reach many of this generation with the gospel.
Thom,
Would you say that this information is generally reflective of the rest of the 1st world nations around the world? As our lives and ministries become more and more globalized, are we trying too hard to generalize these separate cultures’ generations?
Thanks,
Brandon (millennial of the ’84 vintage)
Brandon -
The simple answer is “I don’t know.” Since our study was based on 1,200 interviews with older Millennials living in the U.S.,I can’t speak with any authority about how their responses might align with those of other first world nations. Nevertheless, your thesis is intriguing. Further research might affirm your point. Still the characteristics of the Millennials noted in our study are real, whether they are more generational or more culturally common with those in developed countries.
Thanks for stopping by. Your insight and question are very thoughtful.
Thom, I appreciate the research. However, the 1 in 10 quote about spirituality surprises me, given recent Pew studies and such. Is this disparity something that’s addressed in the book? If anything, I found Millennials far more interested in spirituality and Christianity than my own generation (that is to say, Generation X) on the whole.
I also wonder from reading magazines like Relevant if the Millennial experience is shifting as the American experience has shifted during the past few years with the economy. There’s a Jekyll and Hyde side to this, an intense motivation to do something incredible that co-exists beside sarcasm and a deep fear that things can’t be fixed. As the Millennial generation begins to age, I wonder if they will turn more pragmatic rather than idealistic.
Thanks for helping us think through these issues!
Actually, the research I’ve done proves that the Millenials were first born either in 1977 or ’78, and here’s why:
1. Studies show very similar attitudes among those born in the late 1970s and the ’80s. For example, it was those born between 1978 and ’90 that voted 66 – 32 for Obama. Also, a 2003 Pew Research Center survey showed 56% support for gay marriage among people born 1978 – ’88. Furthermore, men and women born beginning in the late ’70s left the church in droves when they grew up. Finally, a 2010 statistic showed a noticeable difference in the use of the latest PC software/hardware between those born from 1977 to ’92 and babies who entered this world before then.
2. Generations are getting much shorter due to accelerating technological and cultural change, making Gen X 1965 – ’76/’77.
3. Individuals born in 1978 were both the first to come alive during the PC era and were just under 18 when the internet went mainstream in ’95, making them the oldest of the “net generation.”
4. The “echo boom” period REALLY began in 1977, when about 159,000 more babies were born than during the previous year. The annual birthrate increased in successive years before leveling off in ’95. That would make the DEMOGRAPHIC Gen Y 1977 – ’95.
Dr. Rainer,
I finished your book you co-authored with your son and loved it! I was wondering if you’d be interested it taking part in book review series I post on my titled “7 Questions With an Author: [insert name]“?
If so, please answer each of the 7 Questions below with a 3-5 sentence response, which you can email them to me. Thanks in advance for your consideration:
1. Tell us about your book?
2. What led you to write it?
3. Who is a writer that inspires you and why?
4. What was the biggest challenge you faced writing this book?
5. What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?
6. Where do you get your ideas?
7. Anything that you’d like readers to know that I haven’t asked?
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