generation+Y+not?

Name: Holly Greenwood n8331456 Tutor: Judith Meiklejohn

**The Impact of Globalisation on Generation Y**

====// ‘On Valentine's Day, six University of Notre Dame students piled into a minivan and drove east through the night toward New York City to join the protests against the war in Iraq. I was one of them. With our signs and slogans we followed the crowds streaming across town to the United Nations building. We were all worried about a future we feared we could not change, but knew we had no right to do nothing. People were going to die. We set out for New York each for our own reasons. We set out to answer the question of evil, to respond to it, to educate ourselves, to look seriously at what might be done in our names. //====

Anna Nussbaum
**Artefact**



**Description**

This is a website that can make anything happen, inspired by your dreams and desires for a better world. You simply type in what you want to do... It can be as complex as “Remove the stigma placed upon people with Bipolar disorder” (J, 2010), as specific as “empower the creativity of gen-y to rebuild Detroit as our model city for the way we live now” (Bator, 2010)… or as simple as just ‘help’. After sharing your idea, you are able to browse other people’s ‘micro action’ which correspond to what you want to do. From here you have the potential to become a part of their action plan and collectively make changes in the world. Ifwerantheworld.com also gives individuals the power to create their own individual ‘action platform’ in which people can become a part of their vision.

**Public Health Issue**

Globalisation has not only had a great impact on the economy, it has also caused damaging health affects worldwide. For example, there has been a stark rise in chronic disease as a result of the ‘marketing of unhealthy products, and risk behaviours, such as tobacco smoking and the consumption of fast food’ (Hou, 2009). The artefact represents a society concerned with reversing the negative consequences of globalisation by engaging authorities through collective action.

**Literature Review**

The World Health Organisations defines Globalisation as “changes to the creation, exchange and application of knowledge, ideas, norms, beliefs, values, cultural identities and other thought processes… as a result of more widespread and intense flow of information across national boundaries via the mass media, educational institutions, scientists, and religious groups” (Bettcher & Lee, 2002). Globalisation has mixed impacts, both to the economy and public health worldwide. To some it has bought enormous benefits, and yet for others it has caused much devastation. Some positive aspects include increased economic prosperity and development opportunities, which in turn can initiate a more efficient distribution of resources, enhancing employment opportunities. This reduces the cost of goods and services thus increasing the standard of living for the world’s population (Hu, 2009). On the contrast, it has been suggested that the rapid flow of capital and consumer goods has increased poverty, socioeconomic inequality, injustice and erosion of traditional cultures (Hu, 2009).

Generation Y have been at the forefront of globalisation, often described as the ‘globalised generation’ (Muller, 2006) as a result of the rapidly enhancing technology at their disposal. However, a particularly concerning consequence of a globalised culture has been the rise in chronic disease amongst their generation. According to the World Health Organisation (2008), the main global chronic diseases include heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes. Obesity has been the major risk factor for the diseases just listed. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics' National Health Surveys, in 1990 the youngest adult males (aged 20 to 24 years) who belonged to Generation X had a mean body mass index of 23.6, but by 2005 Generation Y (20 to 24-year-old) registered a BMI of 24.5 - moving closer to 25 (the BMI that heralds overweight) (Allman-Farinelli, 2009).

There is a range of cultural, economic and technological factors that have contributed to the increasing obesity epidemic that is being experienced globally. The ‘western lifestyle’ has allowed for f ood to be so plentiful or within the budgets of so many, with energy-dense fast foods often the most competitively priced (Allman-Farinelli, 2009). However the most significant influence has been the mass media and social networking, which encourages these sedentary lifestyles that may lead to obesity.

Technology and lifestyle will be forever progressing down different roads causing variations between the generations. Whilst the rise of chronic disease is one negative consequences globalisation can have, the technology and services that are available in medicine now are testament to the benefits of globalisation in terms of the sharing of ideas and knowledge through science and education.

Essentially, globalisation is an unstoppable force that will continue to have both positive and negative impacts on the global world. With generation Y the most technologically adapt so far, they face the challenge of creating socially and environmentally forms of globalisation that provides the greatest benefits and least costs, shared more equitably than is currently the case (Lee, 2004).

**Cultural/Social Analysis**

Previous generations subscribe to media generalizations describing Gen Y as lazy and Facebook obsessed with no social responsibility. In actual fact, a recent study conducted by the ABS confirmed gen Y as the most highly qualified and most tolerant generation so far. Figures show that women in particular have closed the gap in university qualifications - in 2006, more women than men in Generation X and Y held a Bachelor degree or higher (28% compared with 21%) (ABS, 2009).

Generation Y are a reflection on the changes bought about by globalisation, particularly in the workplace. With the rapidly increasing technicality and complexity of skills required in the work force, a higher level of education is necessary, and due to the higher demand of qualified individuals, young people are much more likely to proceed to a higher level of study in comparison to previous generations. In their working lives, Generation Y are driving the trend toward globalisation, making international experience central to their job selection and promotion (Troy, 2009). The Kelly Global Workforce Index survey conducted in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific in 2009 revealed opinions about work and the workplace from a generational viewpoint. Findings suggested that gen Y view international experience in the work place and the ability to work cross culturally as a vital key to success. 81 percent of Gen Y believe it is important to their career prospects that they become more globally oriented, followed by Gen X (78 percent) and baby boomers (71 percent). In deciding where to work, exposure to a global environment is considered ‘extremely important’ by 32 percent of Gen Y, 30 percent of Gen X, and 26 percent of baby boomers (Troy, 2009).

Generation Y have also proven themselves to be an extremely humanitarian generation as they have grown up in an age encouraging freedom of speech and free will. According to Mcrindle “there are more voices than ever trying to win over a cause-seeking generation. Whether it is environmentalism, social issues, human rights, or volunteering, young people are getting increasingly involved”. The first paragraph in this wiki is an example of this cause seeking generation in action. The extract describes the passion held by a group of students in America protesting against the War in Iraq. September 11 can be described as an extremely influential social marker in the lives of generation Y, in terms of the way the event has influences how they view the world and make decisions. In a more local context, it can be seen that generation Y are very active in societal affairs. Australian human rights activist Samah Hadid believes that “Young people are not A-political, we’re just not interested in the pathetic party politics on offer, we’re more likely to throw our support behind issue based groups” (ABC, 2011). For example, at universities it is rare to find large political based groups, instead there are lots of small groups working for a particular cause or intention. At the Queensland University of Technology, young people are involved in groups such as the ‘Social Enviro Welfare’ and the Woman’s Collective that are issue based, concerned for the welfare of all people regardless of race or sex.

**Artefact Analysis**

Ifwerantheworld.com was created by feminist entrepreneur Cindy Gallop. Her vision was to initiate a real-world experiment tapping into good intentions and turning them into tangible, do-able micro actions that anyone and everyone can help you to do. This website represents today’s society, and the way in which people now transform their ideas into action utilising technology. Generation Y especially, have never known a world that did not include the internet, cellular phones and immediately available parallel communications (Ramiraz, 2011). Because of this, ifwerantheworld.com suits the way Gen Y work very appropriately. We know they are a generation who are adventurous, enthusiastic and willing to do their part in helping the world, but may just lack the initial motivation or knowledge to find a place to start. The website provides a starting point for them to browse an action plan they may feel passionate about, essentially they are given the the opportunity to transform and co-ordinate their idea into real world action. All of the planning can be done at a touch of a button. As stated earlier, Gen Y are considered to be the most highly qualified generation so far, therefore Ifwerantheworld.com allows this generation to harness their skills, education and experience to design and bring to life informed actions plan that are appropriate to the current challenges they feel are desperately needed in society.

**Learning Reflection**

In creating this wiki I have been able to broaden my understanding on just how large the impact of globalisation has had on Gen Y. Up until this point my understanding of globalisation was always foggy, however my research has elucidated that it impacts on much more than the economy itself. As a public health student, I am interested in any factors that may affect the health of people. I personally believe that globalisation has brought huge benefits to society, and these outweigh the negatives listed earlier. However this is only an assumption I have made, and further research may sway my decision. While it is said that globalisation has contributed to an obese society, I hold the belief that it is only one factor in this very complex issue. The cultural and social analysis conducted has proven to me that Gen Y are an extremely innovative and intelligent group. According to Cindy Gallop the creator of ifwerantheworld.com, “the single biggest pool of untapped natural resource in this world is human good intentions that never translate into action”. I would definitely agree with this statement and believe that more sites like ifwerantheworld.com are needed to correlate with the rapidly changing global world.

**Comments!**

Title: I am a lobotomised patient, hear me DERP

Wow, creative title, It really intrigued me. Your analysis thoroughly informed me about the practices associated with lobotomy and the controversy surrounding this procedure during history. I found the article you provided in your cultural and social analysis very saddening, however this highlights the harsh reality of mental disorders and shows that there is still so much prejudice against these people. Overall a really engaging wiki in which I came away with some new knowledge. Well done.

Title: Gen Y - SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS!

I found your wiki very interesting and appropriate to today's generation. I agree with you in that binge drinking is a huge issue in society, and as a young person myself I have been witness to the damaging effects of this health problem. Your artefact was very relevant to your chosen topic and makes this behaviour seem acceptable to young people. It is good to see you have learnt a thing or two from your research and will apply this to your behaviours.

**Reference List**

Allman-Farinelli, M. (2009). Gen Y needs to get active to avoid obesity. //ABC The Drum.// Retrieved from

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-03-25/gen-y-needs-to-get-active-to-avoid-obesity/1630592

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2009). A Picture of the Nation: the Statistician's Report on the 2006 Census. Retrieved from

http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/2070.0/

Bettcher, D & Lee, K. (2002). Globalisation and Public Health. J Epidemiology & Community Health, 56(1), 8-17.

Fleming, M., Parker, E & Hou, J. (2008). //Introduction to Public Health//. Sydney, Australia: Elsevier Publishing.

Lee, K. (2004). Globalisation: what is it and how does it affect health? //The Medical Journal of Australia, 180(//4//)//, 156-158.

Mcrindle, M. (2010). Understanding Generation Y. Retrieved from

www.learningtolearn.sa.edu.au/colleagues/.../understandinggeny.pdf

Muller, D. (2006). Y bother? This generation inhabits a different world. //Sydney Morning Herald.// Retrieved from

http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/y-bother-this-generation-a-world-apart/2006/10/02/1159641262606.html

Nessabaum, A. (2011). Generation Why. N.p

Ramiraz, M. n.d. Workplace management: Get to know Generation Y. Retrieved from

http://www.reliableplant.com/Read/11898/workplace-management-get-to-know-generation-y

Troy, M. (2009). International survey reveals how globalization is defining workplace skills. Retrieved from

http://www.kellyservices.ca/web/ca/services/en/pages/labortrends.html