We also argue here that understanding adolescence within the life course requires attention to historical context…These socioeconomic variations tend to leave their mark on the life course as well as on the psyche of young people.

(Johnson & Crosnoe & Elder, 2011, p.279)

I found this reading to be the most compelling as I drew connections to the implications of historical perspectives on different generations. Millennials are certainly not considered the ‘Greatest Generation’ and are frequently attacked by older generations and the media. We are the hookup culture, the don’t care culture, the “slacktivists”. However, one major point this reading makes is that historical context can define a generation.

We grew up in a world of terrorism, extreme gun violence, and extreme inequality. For every step forward towards racial and economic equality, there are many steps back from those who want to maintain the status quo. I feel that we must always remember that nearly every generation has been criticized by elders as “bad” and many want things as they were “back in my day”. I feel that studies of adolescents are important and must reflect the historical events that have shaped the attitudes and beliefs of those in the group of adolescents. As young adults, we should reject unfair labels placed upon us by other generations. We must embrace the importance of adolescence as a life course by acknowledging positive accomplishments of each generation rather than criticizing how they are “different from my day” and therefore bad.