I think the Millenials’ parents were only one generation away from those who had grown up “going without” in the Depression and WW2, and the urge to compensate for previous physical hardships by those grandparents was transformed into an urge by the Millenials’ parents to fill internal voids with tangible things, aided in no small part by endless advertising and (comparatively) easy living.
In contrast, the Millenials have never known a comparable period of physical deprivation, and have instead known the literal and figurative “clutter” of their forebears’ material things...perhaps also seeing them as having eschewed “experiences”, their families—”life itself”—in favor of working their butts off...often (in cases of business failure, layoffs, premature deaths, etc.) for nothing.
That’s a great point. My father grew up during the Depression. As adult he made a lot of money but you would barely know it the way we lived.
I made decent money and my kids have been given everything available to them to the point that there was barely a gift to give them at Christmas or on their birthday.
I believe a lot of Millennials grew up like this. They simply don’t want anything because they’ve had everything and have not really been in want or had a need that hasn’t been met.
Personally, I have very little interest in buying anything more. I have everything I need. I’m try to get rid of junk. I don’t need another kitchen gadget or any “As seen on TV” crap or anything else.
only one generation away from those who had grown up “going without” in the Depression and WW2
= = =
That’s me. My pile of stuff is just not quite used enough to throw away. Imprinted by my parents. Sometimes buy extra something to have it ‘in case’ (farm repair syndrome). I am getting over that because the availability is better, I’m getting older, and I can sometimes recognize junk that will not be needed, and can be tossed.
I joke that I can’t toss something unless it has been used for five different projects.
My kid criticizes my mess and is working to eliminate clutter (partly due to my ‘bad’ example).