I don’t know if I agree that this generation feels that salary is all that important. I believe that they also care about improving society. It is not so much of the “me generation” of the Boomers. But I haven’t read her book so I can’t judge what she said and why she said it. There are so many varied opinions on the post-modern generations.

While I didn’t agree with all her conclusions throughout the book, I do agree with her overall conclusions to end it.
In response to Kevin, salary may not be extremely important to all of us, but we do have a heavy load of school debt. Day to day expenses can make saving for the future a challenge with a modest salary.
I think the most important proposal Twenge puts out there is getting rid of self-esteem programs and focusing on self-control, self-discipline, and living with a realistic expectation of your life.

Haven’t read the book, but I am pleasantly surprised by the ending. I think I can agree with just about everything here. Although I think Twenge may underestimate the extent to which women in the generation may demand support not just to work, but to be with their kids. I know that there are a lot of working women who would like to find a way to be home more. I also know a lot of at home moms who would be happy to pick up some work if it didn’t mean leaving the kids for long hours each day. There’s got to be a way to make this possible from both ends. Perhaps this generation will be the one to lead the way on that front.

I think the issue of self esteem was very insightful, and yet I don’t think it is complete in that it is the cause of all she says it is. That being said, I don’t think the conclusions (what she says could remedy the situation) would be all that effective.
An issue that arose for me was her point that parents today actually spend more time with their kids. While this may be true, it also would lead me to wonder what is happening in these relationships, because the kids we are dealing with today do not seem to reflect a healthier home life environment. There may be some other systemic issues in the nature of how the parenting role is fulfilled that play into the culture of igens as much as the teaching of self esteem as the most important goal.
I found the part on women and their contradictory role in society really interesting and see how it even plays out in my own home. (I’m an igen, married with my wife a stay at home mom {of 3 kids} who day cares {2 kids mon-fri} in our home to supplement our income). It has raised my awareness of aleviating the pressure she can feel…
Thanks for bringing this book to our attention, a great read.