Senior government and politics and information systems major
‘Suck it up’ culture
As a kid, I was told frequently to “suck it up.” Of course, the things I was moping about weren’t really dire situations — fighting with my sister, losing bets and not getting the Lunchables I wanted when I went grocery shopping with my mother.
Today, it seems like there’s a strict dichotomy between those who think we should raise children to “suck it up” and those who think we should nurture them through stressful situations.
We’re told when we’re younger to “suck it up” or “stop crying” when we don’t get what we want because our parents don’t want children growing up overly sensitive to real-world situations in the workplace. But does this mean it’s justifiable to tell people to stop crying or grow up in any professional environment?
Last month, The Atlantic’s Hanna Rosin wrote a column titled “The Overprotected Kid,” in which she emphasized our preoccupation with safety, always protecting and comforting children. Rosin pointed to playgrounds in North Wales, where children play with rubber tires, dirt, fire and crates. The rugged environment gives children an idea of the real nature of life, so they don’t expect much of their parents or colleagues.
But Rosin used this particular example to make a broad generalization about Americans. She connected the lack of “rugged” playgrounds in the United States to the decline in optimism and independence that millennials experience. She said the increase in depression, narcissism and taking psychiatric medication in Generation Y has stemmed from our parents’ attempts to baby us.
Though I do think it’s important to foster environments where we can grow to become independent and think for ourselves, it’s premature to assume the lack of these environments has resulted in higher proportions of depression. Comparing a need for independence at a young age to the increasing diagnoses of depression is very dangerous.
Increases in psychiatric prescriptions for young adults might result from psychiatrists becoming better at diagnosing depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and personality disorders. The insistence that millennials “grow up” to suit the work environment gives us a detached view of how to handle people with depression or mental disorders. Not everyone can “grow up” easily. Not everyone can “forget about it” easily.
About 19 percent of Americans between 18 and 33 experience depression, while the proportion remains lower for older demographics, according to a 2012 American Psychological Association survey. Similarly, a 2012 WorkplaceDynamics survey found employee confidence has diminished in the past few years.
I’ve had friends and work colleagues tell me to “suck it up” while I experience post-traumatic stress disorder, but I question whether they really understand the extremities of mental health disorders. Professional workplaces always emphasize the importance of diversity and understanding, but many human resources departments (and employers in general) still need to revamp their approach to help employees feel comfortable finding a “safe person” or forum to whom they can communicate their needs.
Simply telling someone to “suck it up” when he or she seems down is an abhorrent way to address someone who might be experiencing something serious.
As a millennial, I want to succeed in the workplace. I want to be able to act emotionally mature and collaborate with others, and I definitely don’t want to whine about extraneous problems just to get what I want. Hopefully, employers, friends and family members will comprehend this: Many millennials want to succeed and pursue their passions, but some of us might stumble along some bumpy roads to get there.
Caroline Carlson is a junior government and politics and information systems major. She can be reached at ccarlsondbk@gmail.com.
