Two books explore phases of female life, girlhood and womanhood

Millennials have frequently been the subject of debate and stereotyping, often being branded from one extreme to another—first as lazy and entitled, then as unpredictable job-hoppers and implacable industry-killers.

Millennials and the Evolution of Public Perception

Author Kate Kennedy details the trajectory of how millennials have been perceived by society, highlighting the misinterpretations of their motivations and actions.

Initially, millennials were caricatured as lazy and entitled, a demographic unwilling to exert the necessary effort toward their careers and expecting unearned rewards. However, these labels of laziness were born out of a genuine pursuit of work-life balance and a reaction to entering the workforce during the beleaguered economic climate of the Great Recession.

Kennedy suggests that this pursuit of balance between personal life and work, an ideal treasured by millennials, was a direct consequence of the economic instability they faced early in their careers. The absence of employer loyalty during these challenging economic times incentivized the shift toward prioritizing self-interest and security, often manifesting as what others deemed "job-hopping."

As millennials matured and evolved within the social and economic landscape, perceptions also shifted. They were no longer simply the lazy youth; they had become the movers of markets—though not in the way that previous generations might have anticipated. They were now being accused of killing various industries, ranging from real estate to retail sectors. This, combined with the emergence of Gen Z, who mockingly critiqued millennial preferences like side parts and skinny jeans, only solidified the stereotype of millennials being at odds with the current and past generations.

The Misunderstood Generation

Kennedy delves deeper into the cultural fabric that comprises the millennial psyche. She ...

Female friendships and peer groups have played a significant role in offering support and fostering a sense of belonging for millennial women, particularly during pivotal transitions in their lives.

For many millennial women, female friendships and peer groups provided crucial support and a sense of community during the challenging transition to adulthood.

Kennedy highlights the importance of all-female gatherings, like pre-games in college, that served as safe spaces for women to encourage and support each other. Similarly, Juana Summers shares a heartfelt memory of her sorority days, emphasizing how the support network of the women in her life was more than just comforting—it was potentially life-saving during trying times. The bonds formed in such settings provided a security and stability that were particularly valuable during the destabilizing transition to adulthood.

As millennials have grown older, they've lost the consistent daily interaction and emotional support that defined their younger friendships.

As time passes, the author notes a sense of nostalgia for the intimacy and solidarity once shared among peers. The author reminisces the days spent in college, bemoaning the loss of abundant time that once allowed for lounging toget ...

Millennial women often face a struggle between their genuine interests and the pressure to be perceived as serious or legitimate in various contexts, particularly when those interests are traditionally feminine or related to pop culture.

Suppressing enthusiasm for traditional femininity

The tendency for women to self-edit when expressing their passions has deep historical roots. Feminine-coded interests have been dismissed as trivial or lacking sophistication, influencing how women present themselves and their hobbies. The author discusses how this phenomenon is not new, noting that feminine-coded pastimes such as soap operas, despite their economic significance demonstrated in the 1950s, were ignored in newspapers due to a lack of perceived sophistication.

Personal reflections on self-editing

The author shares her own experience with suppressing her genuine interests and preferences in various situations, such as in professional settings or while dating. She used to think that mentioning her fondness for a romantic comedy film during an icebreaker at work would lead colleagues to assume she lacks depth and culture. The author questions why leisure activities like fantasy football leagues are deemed acceptable, whereas i ...

In the current cultural landscape, millennial women find themselves negotiating the pressures of societal norms and personal choices particularly surrounding relationships and parenthood. This piece explores the tensions and personal narratives that unfold within the intersection of these expectations and the multifaceted realities of life.

Expectations vs. Realities

Author Juana Summers and commentator Kate Kennedy delve into the entrenched societal blueprint that has sketched out a linear progression for women's lives: growing up, earning a degree, finding a partner, marrying, and having children. Summers points out that this trajectory is often depicted as inevitable, even when life seldom follows such a predictable course.

Kennedy draws attention to a childhood playground rhyme that oversimplifies a person's future to a chain of love, marriage, and a "baby carriage." She emphasizes the complexity and unpredictability in aspects such as dating, finding a loving partner, and the capability and decision to bear children. These facets of life are highly contingent on individual circumstances beyond one’s control, yet women often internalize any deviation from these expectations as personal failures.

The Unpredictable Journey of Motherhood

On a more intimate note, Jenny Slate recounts her own journey through motherhood, which brought with it a contrasting blend of pride, sorrow, and shame when her daughter was born with medical concerns requiring NICU care. This ...