We have all heard the stereotypes revolving around “millennials”. Monster.com narrowed down the stereotypes to their own “top five”. According to the website, millennials are “entitled, they want a trophy for showing up, they’re easily sidetracked by technology, they’re job hoppers, and they want special privileges.”

I, for one, am tired of hearing these stereotypes because not all millennials act like this. Millennial’s get a bad rap because of the labels we are given. Being a millennial in today’s world is not easy; employees seem to hesitate when it comes to hiring us and we have labels we cannot escape.

My frustration with being called a “millennial” comes with the stereotypes because some of them are untrue. There are, of course, millennials who identify with these stereotypes. Even individuals who are not “millennials” identify with the stereotypes, but they missed the cutoff to be a millennial. However, if you think about it, millennials may act like some of the stereotypes because of how they were raised. The way we were raised shaped us into the person we are today and that is the reason some millennials fit these stereotypes.

I, on the other hand, was raised by two baby boomers and was taught from a young age to do things for myself. My parents never did my art or science projects and the only time I received a trophy was for winning a sports tournament. I never expected a trophy for showing up or participating, and I think that is ridiculous. A trophy is to be earned, not just given out for showing up.

The stereotype associated with millennials “wanting a trophy” for showing up is untrue. All of the millennials I know never expected to earn a trophy for “just showing up”. The generations younger than us are the ones conditioned to expect a trophy for participating. How were they are conditioned to believe they deserve one? Because their parents expect them to receive the trophy and believe their kids are winners when sometimes they are, in fact, losers.

I personally do not think that all millennials should be blamed for the stereotypes because they were given their ideas and privileges from their parents. Parents raising millennials make matters worse by encouraging their kids’ actions and not allowing them to take responsibility for their own actions.

Millennials are raised by their parents who, in turn, are the ones making these stereotypes worse. If you are raised not to take responsibility for your actions then that comes from where you get your life lessons. Parents have an influence on their kids that no one else can come close to, so it is up to the parents to instill life lessons that will not entitle their children.

Millennials can take some blame for not knowing better, but when it comes down to it, the parents are the ones who had the effect on their children, causing them become entitled and disliked by onlookers because they are a “millennial”.

Collegian writer Tamra Smalewitz can be reached at blogs@collegian.com or on Twitter at @tamrasmalewitz. Leave a comment!!