Can Generation Y Keep America Great?

WASHINGTON - They are plugged in, logged on and the most tech-savvy generation in U.S. history. The young adults known as Generation Y also have something else going for them. They have a bit of an image problem with their older counterparts.

Maya Enista is 26 years old and a self proclaimed proud member of Generation Y. When it comes to the naysayers, she says, “I think every generation faces criticism".

That criticism she says are the often repeated opinions of her elders: that Generation Y is apathetic, self centered and generally looking out for itself.

“I actually welcome that argument,” said Enista. “I love fighting that fight.”

As the Chief Executive Officer of mobilize.org , she works to get Generation Y involved in social issues. It’s a topic she says that her peers are interested in and spurred her to pursue developing her website.

“I knew and believed in the optimism, engagement and energy of our generation,” Enista said.

But some numbers paint a different picture of Generation Y. The United States ranks 12th in the world among 25-35 year olds without college degrees. Likewise, the New York Times reports that 37 percent of unemployed young adults currently out of work. That is the highest since the 1930s. And 23 percent of them aren’t even seeking work.

Experts say it is combination of a bad economy and a tough road ahead. Rosetta Thurman, an author and expert on Generation Y, says a third of Generation Y is actually living with their parents.

That is a result of the poor job climate, according to Thurman. But the concern and scrutiny over Generation Y is warranted she says, because eventually they will be running the country.

"I think it's just a big deal now because Generation Y is just as large as the baby boomers. Gen X is 45 million. Gen Y? 80 million,” said Thurman.

But what about older generations? Talk to “The Greatest Generation” - the one that fought and won World War II - and some of them will tell you that Generation Y has a long way to go.

"They’ve had too much and they don't realize what they do have and how to be grateful for what they've got,” said veteran Robbie Robertson.

"You just hope that this generation grows up to be as good as shape as we are,” said Glenn Marsh, who also fought in World War II.

But back at her job, Enista says she suspects before “The Greatest Generation” became great, many of them faced the same doubts from their elders as well.

“As young people are coming into our own, making a name for ourselves, coming out of the education sector and into the business sector, I think every generation is faced with this,” Enista said.

So is Generation Y up to the task of taking the country forward, much like their predecessors? As is always the case, only time and history will tell.