Center Spread - September 2011Content and Design by

Emily Yip and Rebecca Hu

Statistics:758,000 students enrolled in college in 1960. 2,058,000 enrolled in college in 2009. 1,300,00 more students en-rolled in college in 2009 than in 1960.

No one will be surprised to hear that generation Y knows mobile technology better than its predecessors. We send more emails from our phones, play more smartphone games, and have more mp3 players in general. But a reader would likely be surprised to hear that Generation X isn’t far behind in cell phone ownership, and in fact on par in terms of tablets and video game con-soles. The real difference between generations is in how the technology is used; Generation Y takes much more advantage of the vast possibilities of a por-table all-in-one device, zespecially when it comes to music and the internet.

Generation Y, or the Millennial Generation, emerged just before the turn of the 21st century, marking a new era in history. Armed with a distinct familiarity with technology and newfangled methods of communication, Generation Y is the product of a world with such monumental innovations as the internet and social media. Loosely distinguished by birth dates ranging from the 1980’s to the 1990’s, Generation Y is the largest gen-eration since the Baby Boomers. Generation Y has lived through historical milestones such as the Iraq War, Hurricane Katrina, Columbine, Y2K, and Monica Lewinsky. Nevertheless, global conflicts have not stopped this generation from its characteristic cosmopolitan confidence and diversity that mark Generation Y as the gen-eration of the future.

In our generation, the media possesses an unparalleled influence over information and culture. The growth of technology has allowed the media to spread information and ideas at a rapid rate. Television, the internet, newspapers, magazines and the radio enable the media to be involved in all aspects of life. The far-reaching influence of the media has allowed it to express its views upon millions of people, shaping the way our society thinks and acts.

The growth of technology has also changed the music world. With the advent of the creation of the synthesizer, the genres of dance, rock, and hip-hop have all changed. Moreover, the creation of the auto tuner has also changed the dynamic of the music industry. Many artists no longer have to rely on personal talent to rise to stardom. As can be seen by phenomenons such as Rebecca Black, a strong auto-tune job can launch any singer to fame.

Many students of Generation Y face academic expectations unparalleled by those of the past. Stu-dents seem to juggle the onslaught of homework, AP classes, and college applications like it is an obliga-tion. Although this constant academic pressure de-fines Generation Y, how will it provide for the future?

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Survey results of 202 Aragon students on computer type preference

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91 93 94

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37

57

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=Generation X

=Generation Y

How strongly does the media influence Ara-gon’s appearance and social interactions?

(Based on a poll of 195 students)

Generation Y, or the Millennial Generation, emerged just before the turn of the 21st century, marking a new era in history. Armed with a distinct familiarity with technology and newfangled methods of communication, Generation Y is the product of a world with such monumental innovations as the internet and social media. Loosely distinguished by birth dates ranging from the 1980’s to the 1990’s, Generation Y is the largest gen-eration since the Baby Boomers. Generation Y has lived through historical milestones such as the Iraq War, Hurricane Katrina, Columbine, Y2K, and Monica Lewinsky. Nevertheless, global conflicts have not stopped this generation from its characteristic cosmopolitan confidence and diversity that mark Generation Y as the gen-eration of the future. We are Generation Y, and this is our story.

Even beyond its eager and open mindset, the statistics and demographics of Generation Y differ drastically from those of previous gen-erations. By far the most diverse generation, Generation Y strongly focuses on personal ambitions, nurturing a self confidence begot by the coddling nature of contemporary par-ents. While Generation Y is also perceived as the most charitable generation, the data on the right does not completely reflect this percon-ception.The statistics TO THE RIGHT reflect our multifaceted drive and need to succeed.

What’s important to Aragon Students

To get rich

To be famous

To help people

To be leaders in their community

To be more spiritual

What is one way that you have asserted your political ideas and beliefs in your community?

Victor Jimenez (12): “I participated in el Día de Silencio for 2 years running. We marched in front of Congress-woman Speier’s office to try to get her to see how deep-ly people were affected by immigration laws.”

Laynie Mitchell (11): “I went up to the Tenderloin last March as part of an organization called BJM (Because Justice Matters) which protests against hu-man trafficking. We made care packages and handed them to women on the streets.”

Youth Voting Statistics:

Some wonder, however, if we can even be classified as a generation distinct from others. We lack many of the shared de-fining characteristics that united the Baby Boomers as a generation. But even when overshadowed by the massive oneness of the Baby Boomers, Aragon students seem to believe that we are indeed a singular generation. And ultimately, perhaps it is our incredible diversity that unites us.

Voter turnout among 18-24 year olds at the time of the 2008 election was 49% (the biggest increase of any group, but still lower than any other group)

CENTER SPREAD BY EMILY YIPLAYOUT BY REBECCA HU

How strongly does the media influence Ara-gon’s appearance and social interactions?

(Based on a poll of 195 students)

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