That view is supported by Buddhist teaching that "we are the"same decaying organic matter as everything else"
I am intrigued by millenials - my own children fall into that cateogry - and I have several very close friends who are millenials. If they have come to feel "special, beautiful, unique" it can be stated this may not be their fault. Socially and culturally, there was a shift which began to view children as important and valued rather than be treated dismissively. There's nothing wrong with that. Yet, inspite of a positive start that trend has some downsides. In an article titled Snowflake generation: Why Millennials are too soft and who's to blame" Nicole Wills makes these fascinating observations:
- Research suggests that the Millennial (snowflake) Generation is twice as aware of mental health issues as the Baby Boomer generation was, yet far less resilient.
- In 1960, the average student grade in the developed world was a C because, well, it is average. The average grade now is an A. It would be nice to believe that each generation becomes more astute than the one before, but this is evidently a result of schools lowering their standards so as not to discourage a student.
- In 2015, The Chronicle of Higher Education published a report called “An Epidemic of Anguish”, which found that one quarter of college students have a diagnosable mental illness, the most pervasive of these being anxiety and depression. The suicide rates amongst students is three times higher than it was in 1950.
The author concludes saying there is a problem among millennials and that who is to blame is unclear: parents, the previous generation or two, society but rather than assign blame, steps should be taken to correct the issue.
I found her article inspiring and motivation as a meditation instructor and teacher of Buddhism and will keep in mind her insights as I promote the practice of meditation along with the many pieces of wisdom from the Buddha who emphasized the beauty and strength of one's buddha nature (found in all beings), of the importance of cultivating virtue (ethical living); of moving against the stream, of maintaining spiritual friends and more.
(read the entire article at https://www.biznews.com/good-hope-project/2021/05/27/snowflake-generation-millennials )