Millennials’ take on friendship is not selfish; it just has a new avatar

People between the age group of 18 and 35 are highly influential chunk of the population. Many of them are either college graduates or pursuing graduation/post graduation. They are tech savvy and their lives almost completely encapsulated and synchronized by technology, be it private or professional. They are also the ultimate multi-taskers.

They are confident to bring in development and are fiercely competitive and committed to their goals. Career growth is an overriding factor in their lives and everything else takes a back seat.

So, who are their friends when they do not have time to make one? This millennial generation has time only at their work place, where they can have friends. They have very little time for other face-to-face meetings as online relations are predominant.

Interestingly, compared to the baby boomers, millennials’ workplace friendships are reason for their happiness (57%), motivation (50%) and productivity (39%).

However, they are also interested in setting the world right, while heading multi-million dollar corporations and industries. High or low in the career ladder, they are aware of their social and environmental responsibilities. The millennials always make the correct move, from college to career. They are ready to relocate as often as required if it boosts their career.

Friendships are often petered out as priorities change and frankly most of the time is in short supply with a 14-hour working day. But at the same time, new friendships are formed and with the ubiquitous social media old friendships are quite often maintained or revived.

Social Media and internet are here to stay. In the present scenario, information flashes with a blink of an eye just by touching a mouse or phone screen. Friendships and relations too are far flung and diverse.

Stability seems to have been thrown out. The onus is on growth, that too at any cost, short terms gains override long term interests. A point which is often ignored is the global negativity when it comes to economic growth, the prevailing political and religious unrest in the world. It has created an atmosphere of intransience.

According to a survey, ‘millennials will dump a friend’ in order to get promotion. The survey by LinkedIn states that 68% of millenials are prepared to do so.

Millennials know this will happen, especially in the extremely competitive career world and factor in dumped or failed friendships as a side effect or casualty on the road to success.

Why this? A simple answer - the standard of living is high. Many millennials have taken loans to study and have to repay. The minimum requirement of life has changed. We need fast expensive smartphones, laptops and the other tech accessories.

Most of them avoid long term commitment in personal relations or if in a relationship, children are ruled out completely or until they reach their career apex.

Personal relationships equations leave them vary. They tend to shy away from close contacts. We live in world where we know little or nothing of our immediate neighbors and community.

However, the millennials feel, they are more in touch with their friends through social media and spend a lot of time on it. Online friendships seem trivial ruled by the ‘Like’ hits. But they maintain, they are more connected online and freer to express themselves and easier to keep up. Most online friendships are based on common interests, passions and needs.

When they actually meet, it is easier to take the relationship forward as they are no more a stranger.

Social media played a major role in being a helping hand to a friend in need. Online interaction ensures timely help. Millennials have used the social media and internet to further the causes close to their heart. They have helped raise fund aid across the world. They care about their community and world. It is only that the macrocosm looms in their horizon and the microcosm is neglected.

(Image: Indiatimes)