Scott Donlan
English Composition 101
Professor Layden
November 24, 2009
Self Esteem vs. Good Behavior?
Throughout Twenge’s book “Generation Me”, there is an undeniable theme of how GenMe is
too focused on having a positive outlook on itself. In Chapter Two,” An Army of One: Me”, Twenge
reflects on the views of self-esteem of other generations. She goes into detail about how the concept of
self-esteem didn’t even exist until the 60s-70s and how the idea of self-esteem replaced an earlier idea
of the “Journey into the Self.” However, this idea is a double-edged sword. As a member of GenMe, if
you do have good self-esteem, you have a vast array of places to take your life. But for the opposite, if
you do not have a good outlook on yourself, the entitlements and expectations that come with being a
part of GenMe have a crushing, and debilitating impact throughout your life. It is for this reason that
Twenge suggests to alter the necessity of self-esteem to a focus on good behavior. By this, the negative
effects of self-esteem will not be as debilitating and the belief of doing well towards others will be
instilled.
I personally support this change in emphasis. Self-esteem will always be an issue with any
generation, so if we tone down its importance, then it will not be such a hindering factor in some
people’s lives. Twenge suggests that the extreme importance of self-esteem was taught to children at a
young age. Programs to boost self esteem blossomed in the 1980s and countless books have been
published for children in order to influence them to have a positive outlook of themselves. The first step
would be to use that method but aim it in a different direction so that self-esteem is not such a crucial
factor in a person’s life. Instead, alter the emphasis away from self-esteem and go in the direction
suggested in Stephen L. Carter’s, “Just Be Nice” and spend time to learn appropriate behaviors,
manners, and how to handle difficult situations with other people. However, I am not suggesting get rid
of self-esteem all together. People without self-esteem are kind of lame and boring. All I am saying is not
have it at as high a pedestal as it is now.
Lost In Translation Generations Analysis
Lost in Translation is a film projecting the differences between two people with a large age
difference between them. The story revolves around two central characters: Bob Harris (Bill Murray) and
Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson). Bob Harris is an American actor and is going through the early stages of a
midlife crisis. He feels a vast sense of emptiness and a lack of validity in his life, and on top of that he
feels that his marriage is slipping. Opposite to Bob Harris is Charlotte, a young newlywed who shares the
same feeling of emptiness in her life as she is being neglected by her husband. If anything can be taken
from these two characters, it wouldn’t be the differences of generations, but similarities of the struggles
each generation go through. It is because of this unspoken similarity or bond that draws these two
together. They are entwined by their common goal of trying to realize who they are or what have they
done with their life.
Ever since the two meet at the hotel bar, they develop a connection. Despite the fact that one is
older and the other is younger, one with a wealth of marriage advice and the other who is just
experiencing it for the first time, they both see the other as a possible solution to their emptiness. Bob
looks at Charlotte as an intelligent and beautiful woman who respects him, which is in starch contrast to
his wife that deals him no respect at all. Charlotte sees Bob Harris as someone who mutually respects
her and does not ignore her like her husband. The scene in the movie with the two of them sitting on
the bench without speaking depicts an understanding of the other without needing to be muddled or
misconstrued by finding words to express it. These two are from two different generations but despite
the differences they do find common ground.
In Generation Me, Twenge sees more differences than similarities between the generations. Bob
Harris belongs to the previous generation, in that Twenge would say that they do not think of
themselves as much as they think other people. Twenge means that they would rather make another
person happy than be happy themselves. Charlotte would be a part of GenMe, by that she has a need
for a good self approval and feels a sense of emptiness because of the fact that she does not know what
she wants to do for the rest of her life. Despite the differences in beliefs and ideals, I personally see that
there will always be common ground no matter what generation you belong to; and Lost in Translation
is a great example to what I believe.
A Note from Generation Me
Jean M. Twenge’s Generation Me is a book aimed at depicting and analyzing this “Generation Me.” The
subtitle aims to answer the question, “Why today’s young Americans are more Confident, Assertive,
Entitled – and more Miserable than ever before.” It’s true and maybe cliché to say that this new
generation has grown and developed away from previous generations in that we are unique. It’s just
that though, we are individuals. We are our own person with our own unique hopes and aspirations; so
who cares if we are labeled as “miserable” because we’ve been placed on this pedestal. We were not
asked if we wanted to be placed in a position of high expectations; this ordeal was grandfathered in to
us. But despite everything, what I believed was the most important theme to take from Twenge’s work,
is to simply be you.
Throughout any generation there will be always certain behaviors and beliefs that come with
the title. According to Twenge, Generation X before us was suggested to be less focused on the self and
more focused on others. Ironically Generation Me is the extreme opposite where self-esteem is labeled
to be nearly vital for our own existence, suggested by Twenge. Labels and titles like that will always
come and go with each person’s opinion, but what is truly important is how you, as an individual,
respond to those opinions. Do you buckle down and conform just so you can be a part of what everyone
else is doing? Or do you walk the other trail and be “that guy” who does solely what he or she believes
in? The first chapter of Generation Me, “You Don’t Need Their Approval”, strongly reinforces the value
of individualism, a value that I support without a doubt.
All you need to do to recognize the essence of individualism is take a simple look at the world
around you. For starters, college has always has and always will be defined as the place where people
become individuals rather than mindlessly following what they’ve been taught their whole lives. I’m sure
for every one of those college students there is a cell phone to be had with it. We are a generation that
is always connected to another via phone call or text, therefore expressing our individualism through
how we interact with another. Another example would be through the timeless art of music. We are a
generation who expresses their beliefs and ideals through the plethora of music that is always available.
If I had to pick a song, it would be “You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid” by The Offspring that reminds me as an
individual and that I will never compromise who I am for what someone else wants.
Works Cited
Twenge, Jean. Generation Me. New York: Free Press, 2006. Print.
Carter, Stephen. Just Be Nice. W. W. Norton & Company Inc., 2007. 583 - 588. Print.