Generation Gap - Millennial Generation

Millennial Generation
Born 1982 to 2003

This is the generation where the "Class of 2000" is born. This new generation is being treated as precious. Politicians and parents are taking an interest in improving conditions today that allows this generation to grow up in a nurturing environment. Parents are making a concerted effort to tell children to stay away from drugs, alcohol, profanity, improper TV, unchaperoned gatherings, aggressive behavior, beware of AIDS, and avoid teen pregnancy. Politicians are taking an interest in the quality education, media affects on children, and the war on drug so this generation is not a "Lost" generation. Sex education calls for abstinence rather than a neutral approach. This is the generation of hope, hope to correct the errors of their parents.

Life Expectancy
75 years

Three most popular names:
Male: Michael, Jason, Christopher
Female: Jennifer, Jessica, Ashley
www.charm.net/~shack/name/historic.html

A dollar in 1982 equals $1.68 in 1998.
www.aier.org

Contributing Members
1982 Prince William www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Lights/9536/William.html
1985 Jessica McClure (The baby saved from being trapped for two days in a well.)
1987 Baby M (The baby conceived by a surrogate mother who fought to regain her custody.)

Popular Toys
Play Station
Game Boy

Popular Movies
1997 - Braveheart
1998 - Titantic

Spice Girls - Too Hot to Handle

The Spice Girls - five girls who go by the names Geri ("Ginger Spice"), Mel B ("Scary Spice"), Emma ("Baby Spice"), Victoria ("Posh Spice"), and Mel C ("Sporty Spice") are one of the most popular bands on the planet who seem to have rocketed to stardom overnight. Their loyal fan club members renamed planet Earth, Spice World, after their favorite band. The Spice Girls fun style, massive sex appeal, and positive 'girl power' messages are reflected in their dance- friendly tunes. The Spice Girls' concerts are so popular that they sell out in a matter of minutes and their images are plastered on everything from T-shirts to bubble gum - they even have their own movie! Recently, Spice World fans and many others were shocked to learn that Ginger Spice decided to leave the group- the Spice Girls will never be the same.
www.wallofsound.com/artists/spicegirls/index.html
headlines.yahoo.com/

First Children Summit at the UN - "A Promise to Children"
The largest group of world leaders in history (71 Heads of State) assembled at the United Nations on September 29-30, 1990 to attend the first World Summit for Children. This Summit was dedicated entirely to the well being of people of the Millennial generation. They discussed saving children across the globe by making an effort to end illiteracy, malnutrition, and to promote education for all children, improve health, sanitation and clean water. This Summit resulted in adapting a "Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children" and a "Plan of Action" to implement the Declaration in the 1990s. The Millennial generation is benefiting greatly from the results of Children's Summit. Baby Boomers, Silent Generation, and G.I. generation members are working together, through the declarations of the Summit, to improve the lives of members of the Millennial generation and generations to come, by protecting children.
www.unicef.org/

1987 Stock Market Drops Drastically - "Déjà vu"
The Stock Market still has its ups and downs. A headline in the Wall Street Journal on 10/20/97 sums up best what happened at the time: "Stocks Plunge 508 Amid Panicky Selling; Percentage Decline Greater Than in 1929". The stock market is so much larger today than in 1929 that the percentage of loss was not as drastic as that crash, however one thing remains the same, the point drop in the Stock Market still hurt the pockets of many. The Stock Market continues to have its bad days - "Black" days still occur.
www.lowrisk.com/crash/87vs97.htm

Princess Diana (Princess of Wales) - 1961-1997
Dubbed by the press, "The Queen of Hearts", the world mourned the loss of not only a Princess, but true royalty - Princess Diana, when she was tragically killed in a car accident on August 31, 1997. Princess Diana brought royalty closer to people and made them less intimidating. She was a shy school teacher until she married the Prince of Wales on July 29, 1981. Princess Diana often used her popularity with the press and its power to help promote awareness for projects she took a great interest in, for example two of her favorite - people affected by Land mines and also people with A.I.D.s. A close personal friend, Elton John rewrote his song (Princess Diana's favorite),"Candle In The Wind", as a tribute which he sang at funeral. The proceeds of "English Rose" were donated to a memorial fund in her name; the single went platinum in England. Princess Diana was a strong woman who is an excellent role model for Generation "X"ers, and Millennial generation members. Princess Diana's efforts to help improve world conditions still continues today through the charities set up in her name.
www.celebsite.com/people/princessdiana/
headlines.yahoo.com/Full_Coverage...

Mother Teresa - 1910-1997
Shortly after the death of Princess Diana, the world mourned the loss of yet another remarkable woman, the nun of Calcutta - Mother Teresa died on September 5, 1997 when her health finally failed. Her body was enclosed in a glass coffin for members of all generations to pay homage to a woman who used her life to better those of others who could not better their lives. Mother Teresa began the order of the Missionaries of Charity with their simple blue and white habits, serving the poor of India - "The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread." Mother Teresa fed the poor of India not only with bread and water, but with her unconditional love as well. Silent generation members look up to Mother Teresa, Baby Boomers admire her courage to love others despite their differences, Generation "X"ers are touched by her actions, and Millennial generation members try to follow her actions and do the same. Good things do come in small packages, this petite woman made a huge impact on the world and on the world to come.
www.ascension-research.org/teresa.html

South Park, The Simpsons, and Beavis & Butthead - Cartoons with an Attitude
You either love 'em or hate 'em. With their sarcastic humor, South Park, the Simpsons, and Beavis and Butthead are the most controversial cartoons of the decade. They represent a different type of cartoon entertainment than past generations have grown up with. In fact, since they are so different, many parents do not allow their children to watch these shows because they feel that they conflict with family values and beliefs. Since many people don't get cable television and wouldn't know about South Park or Beavis & Butthead and wouldn't relate to the shows, we will only mention the network television show, (pause to insert dramatic music here, as the clouds part) "The Simpsons!". Originally on the Tracy Ulman show as the ideal dysfunctional family, the Simpsons have taken on a life of their own and evolved into the now zany madcap family that millions tune into see whenever they can. Springfield's family of five (Bart, Maggie, Lisa, Homer and Marg - the Simpsons), a wacky neighbor ('Okily-dokily neighboroonie', Ned Flanders), a tyrannous boss, and straight arrow Principal Skinner, all have lots of madcap adventures. The Simpsons television show is one of the most creative and intelligent comedies on television with its many allusions to classic films. The man behind this successful show is Matt Groening, its' well-read creator. In a nutshell, the Simpsons cartoon is the flip side of the Brady Bunch - sarcastic and hilarious - their family situations make the show really very funny.
www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Lot/6095/

Nirvana
One of the most popular rock bands of the '90s was Nirvana. The heavy metal band Nirvana stood for dark pop lyricism and punk aggression. The band Nirvana caused such a commotion that they started a new form of music: Grunge. The band Nirvana was in Seattle, Washington - the state that rains nine months out of the year. The leader of the band was Kurt Cobain. Cobain was married to Courtney Love, who is the lead singer of rock band Hole. Twenty-seven year old Kurt Cobain was found dead in a bus in April. Kurt had killed himself (shot himself in the head). This death of the rock star Kurt Cobain will not be forgotten.
www.nirvanaclub.com/

Video Games
A major form of entertainment for the Millennials is video games. Entertainment developed to the extreme with complex graphic designs and enhanced sound games. Warcraft and Doom are computer based games of fantasy. Super-Mario Brothers and Street Fighter are action games used with special equipment. Millennials are able to play against each other in these games competing with their peers.
www.primenet.com/~ranma/wc2.html

Michael Jordan - Basketball Superstar - "Air Jordan"
Michael Jordan has come a long way from a skinny kid in high school who was rejected by the coach for the basketball team. Michael Jordan surely must have his high school basketball coach eating his words now. Being rejected from the high school basketball team pushed Jordan to work even hard to prove the coach wrong. Jordan know for his athleticism, acrobatic shots, and pure hang-time earned him the nickname "Air," and he has helped lead the Chicago Bulls to three straight World Championships, in 1991, '92, and '93. His talents in sports even extended to playing some minor league baseball in 1994 when he decided to stop playing basketball for awhile. In 1995 Michael returned to basketball from his early retirement to the Chicago Bulls and helped lead them to victory in 1996 for another World Championship (he dedicated the win to his late father), and was named the league's Most Valuable Player for the fourth time. His basketball talents and popularity have led him into other directions too - the movie Space Jam, a line of Nike shoes, and his own line of cologne (Michael).
www.celebsite.com/people/michaeljordan...

Pelé Soccer - "King of Soccer"
A shocked Robert Redford (you know the Robert Redford, handsome male film idol) remarked as people mobbed Pelé for autographs while Redford stood in the background no one asking for his autograph remarked, "Wow, man, you're popular!" Not one to be taken lightly (lest he score a goal against your team), Edson Arantes do Nascimento (otherwise known as Pelé, the King of Soccer) was born in Brazil dreamt his whole life of playing soccer even when he had his first job shining shoes. Pelé began his professional soccer career at the age of 15. Even the 1960 Nigerian Civil war was stopped just for the visit of Pelé and team Santos who had come to play a few friendly matches. When Pelé came to play for the New York Cosmos in 1974 to popularize the sport in the country, millions flocked to the stadium, all on account of Pelé and in 1993, Pelé was inducted to the United States Soccer Hall of Fame. Although he retired from the sport in 1974, after Four World Cups and scoring fourteen goals in twelve World Cup matches, mention the name Pelé to any soccer fan of any generation and they shall talk of the "King of Soccer".
www.isfa.com/server/web/pele/english/pele_text.html

Hockey Wayne Gretzky- The Man with a Fast Stick
The Great One, a member of hockey team the Los Angeles Kings', Wayne Gretzky broke Gordie Howe's long time standing record for goals. This Canadian born hockey player began to skate on his grandparents farm at the age of two and went on to start playing organized hockey at the age of six (two years before kids were allowed to play organized hockey). Gretzky persevered in his love for hockey - he became the Great One because of his excellent hockey skills. (Check out his stats if you don't believe me!) Wayne Gretzky is one of the highest paid players in the National Hockey League and it is obvious to many of the Baby Boomers and Generation Xers why he gets so much money for playing hockey.
www.jetlink.net/~speedy/great1/

Cal Ripken JR. - The Iron Man of Baltimore
The new Iron Man, Cal Ripken played 2131 consecutive baseball games. (This guy sure must have stamina if he can play for that many baseball games without getting sick or injured!) Attempts on Cal Ripken Jr.'s life were made so that he would not be able to beat the long standing record by baseball legend, Lou Gehrig. A ball player for the spectators Cal Ripken plays baseball the old fashioned way, if you ask me. Tears came to my eyes when I read about how this baseball great would stay for hours long after the baseball game, signing autographs for his fans - many being members of the Millennial Generation. Cal Ripken goes down in history as a legend, a baseball player who played ball - no, not for the money, but for the love of the game.
www.majorleaguebaseball.com/bios/000230.sml

Fashion
In the 1990s the world of fashion is ever changing with the latest trends of clothing, hairstyles, and accessories for men and women. Styles from past generations make comebacks especially in this day and age. Women's casual wear consists of sweatpants, sweatshirts, tee shirts, shorts, jeans, leggings, and stirrups. Today's clothes could be worn on many occasions whether informal or formal. In the early nineties when pants were worn they were usually a little loose, tight, or wide legged. Stirrups and leggings were popular for a while.

In the 1990s the world of fashion is ever changing with the latest trends of clothing, hairstyles, and accessories for men and women. Styles from past generations make comebacks especially in this day and age. Women's casual wear consists of sweatpants, sweatshirts, tee shirts, shorts, jeans, leggings, and stirrups. Today's clothes could be worn on many occasions whether informal or formal. In the early nineties when pants were worn they were usually a little loose, tight, or wide legged. Stirrups and leggings were popular for a while.

The latest trend is flared or boot but which sort of resembles bell bottoms. What I have noticed is that in the early nineties, women's shorts used to be a little above the knee or high daisydukes. Girls seemed to be wearing shorter shorts styles. The latest trend is a split between shorts and pants, which is called chinos. Chinos are knee length (usually a tiny bit above the knee length) and have a tiny slit above the bottom portion of each leg. Women's clothes in the early 90s from formal wear to informal wear expose more of the human body. Today's girls are wearing tube tops, baby tees, string or strappy tank tops, halter tops and sheer tops.

Today's women have a more daring look. Early haircuts in the nineties were either short or long, yet always simple looking. Today's haircuts for women are bob haircuts or layered. The most popular women's hairstyle in the nineties is the Jennifer Anniston layered look. More and more women dye their hair or put colorful streaks (highlighting) that are usually blonde or red in color. In the early nineties women's shoes were usually the normal typical flats (flat heels) or high heels.

Today's shoes have big heels that are usually wedge heels or platform. Even sneakers have heels. Women's formal wear usually exposes skin or makes one part of the body more noticeable. Dresses could have slits and be strapless, string, straps, shiny, and sheer, but usually always something that is funky and different, or simple yet elegant. Early nineties bathing suits were the normal bikini or one piece. The latest trend with bathing suits are two piece bathing suits with a boy cut bottom piece. They come in a variety of colors and designs.

More than any other decade in history, the nineties has made it more acceptable for men to take an interest in their appearance. When you dress, you feel good about yourself. And besides, no woman wants to be seen with a sloppily dressed Joe Don't-know-how-to-dress. The Grunge and hip-hop may have predominated in the early nineties, but this has given way to a more refined - if not sophisticated - style. Anything that is comfortable and stresses individuality goes. Gone are the ruffled paisleys, bell bottoms, and suspenders from past decades. Tacky prints are out. Stripes (especially pinstriped) are in. As are suits, khakis, golf shirts, mandarin collars, and generally body conscious clothing.

The buzz cut Caesar, (à la George Clooney), and gelled look are relatively tame and a welcome change from the big haired rocker styles (à la Poison and Guns N Roses). The James Bond tuxedo remains a timeless formal classic. Clothing has taken on a sleek, aerodynamic design. Board shorts and trunks are generally more prevalent on today's beaches. Olympic swimmers continue to favour the speedo, which allows them to cut through the water like fish.

Cloning - Lamb Dolly
Upon being interviewed on cloning, the sheep Dolly's comments were the following, "Baaa!" Hah hah! In my humble opinion, cloning is not something to be taken lightly. Researchers at the Roslin Institute in Scotland succeeded in cloning a sheep entirely from a full grown adult sheep's cells. This cloning has opened wide the doors of possibility. Can't you imagine it, children that are cloned - and this time they aren't twins? Will members of the Futuristic Generation be clones? The researchers who created Dolly have helped to move forward the world of cloning for many, offering opportunities to study rare diseases, bring back an extinct species and whatnot. The Millennial Generation faces many questions as to where the issue of cloning shall take them.
www.newscientist.com/nsplus...

Choose a person below to read their interview:

Add your own interview now!