Generation Y is not growing up too fast

 Many people wonder where this generation is heading. Some feel this generation is growing up too fast, but for others it is heading in the right direction.
 Generation Y, consists of people born from 1982 to 2000, with the majority of college students being present among this group.
 Charese Sumpter, a freshman kinesiology major believes Generation Y's over exposure to sexual content is a reason for rapid maturing. The extremely sexualized television shows and easily accessible explicit images from the web are sure factors in children aging hastily.
 "I think our generation is over sexy sometimes," said Sumpter. "Sexuality is normal, but we take it overboard. I also think pop culture plays a huge part in that."
In addition to the rash sexual maturing, many children mature technologically before the age of 12. The majority of kids get their first cellphone at the age of 9 and own their first computer before 11.
Kimberly Gay, reference and instruction librarian, would like this generation to rely less on technology and more on the older generation's customs.
"Generation Y needs to realize that going old school is OK," she said. "You can pick up a physical book to read instead of an iPhone or iPad for a change."
Generation Y however, believes the youth today are not exposed to sex too early and insists education is where the generation falls short.
"I don't think we're growing up too fast, we've had a pretty steady transition from generation to generation, but in terms of intellect and education we are maturing at a slow rate," said Donnie Moreland, a sophomore sociology major.
However, according to Neil Howe author of Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation, Generation Y has better nutrition; less populated environments and are in fact the smartest generation yet.
He also believes the youth of today are rightfully turning away from the self-destructive and anti-social behaviors of the past generation.
"Our generation is more cultural, we don't see race and gender like other generations, but we are a little lazy," said Khaya Carter, a sophomore mass communication major.
According to The Washington Times, the youth of today are more traveled, technologically skilled, and aware of political issues. People of Generation Y think ahead of their age and are more informed on social and economic issues because of the technology they have access to.
As stated by the Christian Science Monitor, Generation Y has better behavior and relationship with their parents than Generation X or the baby boomers.
Dr. Victoria Godwin, a professor of communications at Prairie View A&M University, who studied Greek social sciences in college agrees with the assessment.
"People have been complaining about young people since ancient Greek times, she said. You've got to take that with a grain of salt; a lot of it really is nostalgia where people just remember their childhoods more fondly," said Godwin.