Generation Me
Why did Jean Twenge leave religion out of her book, Generation Me? In my opinion I think it’s because the main focus was age. Generation Me was described throughout the book mainly from information based on age. Although age is the main factor, Jean Twenge does touch on other ideas as well. For example, one chapter talks about and is titled “The Equality Revolution: Minorities, Women, and Gays and Lesbians”. Twenge discusses age, race, gender, and sexual orientation. It does seem strange that she talks about all these topics and she somehow leaves religion out. However, I don’t think its absence really affected the book. Today’s generation is not like generations in the past. Our education is no longer associated with the church (in some cases it is, like certain private schools… but still, that’s no longer the norm). School is now, for the most part, separated from church, and most GenMe’s don’t attend church or any other kind of religious services. Because of this, I think it’s ok that Twenge left religion out of the book, because it doesn’t really effect Generation Me. However, it could have been interesting to know how GenMe’s parents’ religions could have an effect on them and how they were brought up.
In some ways I agree, and disagree with your comments here. I think that you're correct in your assumption that Twenge left religion out because it doesn't effect our generation as much as preivous ones, but I don't think it's because it is unimportant to us as a people.
ReplyDeleteFor example, previous generations have been directly affected by religion, such as the protestant reformation, etc. Due to that, a book on early American generations would have to have religion involved due to that important movement. But, in our current generation, religion has caused much of a movement. The only one that comes to mind would be the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the ensuing wars in the Middle East, but Twenge certainly wouldn't have written about all that because it is beyond the scope of her novel, even if those events were fueled directly be religion. So, in conclusion, I agree that she left out religion in part because it hasn't had a large effect on our generation, but I don't think that is due to a lessening importance of the practice of religion.
I would have to disagree with most of your post, except the fact that one of the chapters talks about age, sexual orientation, race, and gender. The main focus was not about age, it was about the generation as a whole and how we act. Age is a huge part, which creates a generation, but it was more about moral values and social behavior more than anything. Religion still holds true in many Gen. Me hearts, but the value has depreciated. Your opinions are definitely different than all the rest, which creates an interesting read. Thanks for posting! ☺
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