The Myth of the Age of Entitlement: Millennials, Austerity, and Hope

by James Cairns

We are said to be living in the age of entitlement. Scholars and pundits declare that millennials expect special treatment, do whatever they feel like, and think they deserve to have things handed to them. In The Myth of the Age of Entitlement , Cairns peels back the layers of the entitlement myth, exposing its faults and arguing that the majority of millennials are actually dis entitled, facing bleak economic prospects and potential ecological disaster. Providing insights from millennials rarely profiled in the mainstream media, Cairns redefines entitlement as a fundamental concept for realizing economic and environmental justice.

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

Published July 28, 2017

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I usually approach these types of books with an open mind, see if they can sway me to their thesis (note: "these types of books" being social criticism, social commentary, sociopolitical discourse).

Unfortunately this book did not convince me.

I have a number of (rather scathing) critique for this book, none of it being fully academic or "critically minded". But then again, given the colloquial tone of this 'textbook', I don't think it warrants any stringent academic feedback either. lol.

Even the author himself has claimed: "I’ve drawn extensively on popular sources in an attempt to bring the debate to life in the language and tone we experience in our everyday lives (145)". Little does he realize that the language and tone students experience is that of constant pedantic erudition; and the more they're exposed to scholarly writing, the easier their university journey would be. Moreover, it is rather patronizing for the author to assume that he needed to "dumb" down his language in order to appease to the readership. And for all the censure he delivered on "consumer mindset", it was bold of him to sell this at a hefty price of $27 (for 150 pages of material, really?).

That is not to say I didn't learn anything from this book. I learned plenty. Now all that's left is for me to consult actual academic references to cement my learning. Cairns can include as many newspaper and magazines quotations as he wants, it still does not rid me of my skepticisms. There is also the issue of 'cherry-picking' quotes to substantiate his arguments. Sure, you can do that as a rhetoric device; unfortunately it works less effectively when you are publishing serious academic discourse.

Also! What also really bothered me was his switcharoo between sociological writing and anthropological writing. To insert your own experience is great for documenting in-field experience (often used in cultural anthropology, which i LOVE); but to suddenly switch from a pure "ideological poli-sci" writing to an entire chapter about your experience? Hmm.... My third-eye is twitching.

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book that seeks to take what has become known as the Millenial sense of entitlement. By breaking down this myth, Cairns shows that what many people think of as a sense of entitlement is something that is akin to propaganda, which expects millenials to settle for less. In essence, what many people feel Millenials are entitled to are the same people who themselves saw the expansion of the so-called welfare state, which made their lives somewhat easier, and now wish to take it away.

A good analogy that was used was that what many people feel they are entitled to today, such as voting rights, were once fought for in the way that millenials fight for better wages, or tuition that is reasonable. All in all, Cairns' argument is one that is arguably well made, and well sourced. At times, he can seem repetitive, as if he's trying to drill the point into the readers brain. A well written, and good book.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read this book for a first year university Sociology course and write a book report on. Good read and made the assignment easy to write. Would recommend if you are in the same boat

[Emma]

Soci 1002