Generation 2K: What Parents & Others Need to Know About the Millennials

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Summary: Teens today are being shaped to operate in extremes.
Review: Dear Reader, My name is Wendy Murray Zoba, author, editor and writer--but first and foremost, a mom. Of teens. That scares me. Not because of who they are: they're heroic, enthusiastic, effervescent, and (as they say) "out of control" (that's good). What scares me is the world my teens, and yours, are growing up in and being shaped within. American culture, for reasons that are outlined in my book, is shaping this generation, whom I call "the Millennials," into a new breed. Their world is forbidding, and yet full of promise. It is edgy, in-your-face, sometimes shocking; but it is also forging a generation who seek authenticity, intimacy, and the opportunity to give their all for a higher cause. They are, as some have noted (you'll read about it in the book) marked to become the next generation of heroes. I hope my book, written as journalist from the heart of a mother, will help you and your teen navigate the sometimes challenging waters of adolescence. Thanks for taking to time to check it out.

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Summary: Beware of Misleading Subtitle
Review: I was seriously disappointed with this work subtitled "What Parents & Others NEED TO KNOW [sic] About the Millenials." The book, instead of being a summary of current thought about the millenial generation, is a study of a group of 6 teens who, for the most part, have been raised in the church. The book quickly deteriorates into a verbatim of what the youth have experienced after a short study of worship with Ms. Zoba.
To be fair, there is some scholarship in the opening chapters to help understand about the millenials, but I was surprised not to hear more about this generation's environment being saturated with the internet, palm pilots, .mp3 players and other computer technology. Much time was spent on television and the remote control.
After reading this book, I don't feel like I know more about the millenials. I feel like I know more about Ms. Zoba's youth group and her family, but I didn't find either of those things helpful.
In short, I didn't find much I "NEED TO KNOW" about the millenials.
The book concludes: "All generations through all ages have 'found their way.' This one will too. For all the disturbing and crushing aspects of what our young people confront in today's culture, the Millenial generation remains only the latest chapter in the unfolding plot of God's Story. We who precede them must help them turn the page. So as the psalmist say, 'Each generation can set its hope anew on God remembering his glorious miracles" (Psalm 78:7)."

This book appears to have been written by a nervous parent to calm other nervous parents. This is not a socialogical study, nor is it a practical manual for youth ministry or dealing with youth.
Find another resource if you want to learn about the millenials.

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Summary: After Littleton: Today's youth both troubled and hopeful.
Review: In the aftermath of the Littleton tragedy, parents fear for their own children while teens are challenged and inspired by the testimony of the Christians who died for their faith. As quoted in Time (May 31, 1999), Wendy Murray Zoba observes, "Cassie captured in that moment a blind faith in something greater than instantaneous gratification."

In her new study, Zoba examines the heart of the Millennial Generation, today's teenagers that begin graduating from high school around the year 2000. Generation 2K: What Parents & Others Need to Know About the Millennials describes the "moral ambivalence" characteristic of many teens. Zoba's interviews with millennial youth identify "the negative influence of the media, a need to belong, a feeling of worthlessness, and a lack of parental guidance as factors contributing to the crises which culminated in the schoolyard killings."

But this is only part of the story. The emerging portrait of the millennials warns of dangers like killer Eric Harris but also affirms the hope of Christians like martyr Cassie Bernall. Some of the most encouraging signs of spiritual renewal are happening among today's teens. Drinking among college freshmen is down. The percentage of teens having sex is down. And record numbers of youth are getting involved with volunteer community and church work. Zoba writes, "Media saturation, moral ambivalence, and attendant spiritual longing have triggered societal resolve to make things better."

Is there hope for the next generation? Yes. This practical, insightful book is essential reading for concerned parents, churches and community leaders who want to nurture that hope in today's teens.

Wendy Murray Zoba is associate editor at Christianity Today and the mother of three teenage sons. She worked in youth ministry with her husband, Bob, for ten years. Wendy and her family live in Wheaton, Illinois.

Rating:
Summary: A well written study of the millennial generation
Review: Wendy Murray Zoba's "Generation 2K" does a fine job describing how and why this generation differs from her own. And she skillfully employs her detached, journalistic talents with her evident concern for this generation -- not only as a mother, but as one who ministers to 2Kers. She also does a good job of letting teens speak for themselves through interviews, while throwing in a good bit of expert analysis.

If you're looking for a good overview of what makes the Millennials tick, Wendy Zoba's book is spot on.

Rating:
Summary: A well written study of the millennial generation
Review: Wendy Murray Zoba's "Generation 2K" does a fine job describing how and why this generation differs from her own. And she skillfully employs her detached, journalistic talents with her evident concern for this generation -- not only as a mother, but as one who ministers to 2Kers. She also does a good job of letting teens speak for themselves through interviews, while throwing in a good bit of expert analysis.

If you're looking for a good overview of what makes the Millennials tick, Wendy Zoba's book is spot on.

Rating:
Summary: Realistic . . . and useful, even if you're not a minister
Review: Wendy Murray Zoba's book on Generation 2K is such good reading about the nature of the teenage generation that you should read it even if you're not a minister. The book looks at the generation as a whole, so you learn about the background and beliefs of teens of all religions. Her perceptions -- from teens' distrust of authority to their b.s. sensors always being on -- are completely accurate and insightful. Her comments about teenagers not liking authority are true. This book is so much better than the _Millennials Rising_ one -- it sees us for what we are instead of writing about teens being the way some adult WANTS to see us. Instead of just relying on theoretical assumptions about teens or blindly reciting stereotypes as gospel, the author went out and FOUND and SPOKE WITH some actual members of the Class of 2000. Even if you skip over the descriptions of church services, the insights about the 2000 American generation as a whole are a must-read.