The State of Filipino Millennials: An Alternative View

• Main Author: Cornelio, Jayeel S
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2020
• Subjects: Millennials; Filipino Youth; Generations; Philippines; Development Studies
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/dev-stud-faculty-pubs/55; https://www.lazada.com.ph/products/rethinking-filipino-millennials-alternative-perspectives-on-a-misunderstood-generation-edited-by-jayeel-cornelio-i1611442077-s6904686057.html
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

This chapter presents an overview of the state of Filipino millennials. It adopts a critical perspective that challenges the general discourse about them. That the discourse is imported from Western writings and reinforced by the local advertising industry needs to be called into question. In my view, these writings still echo the functionalist take in Filipino youth studies that treats them as a problem that must be corrected. In the latter half, I will discuss the fragmentations among Filipino millennials brought about by inequality. It is important to recognize these fragmentations to demonstrate that the stereotypes that both celebrate and problematize them are inadequate. At the same time, recognizing the vulnerabilities of these youths is crucial in understanding the different responses they have towards various social issues.