From “trigger warnings,” to “safe spaces,” to “cry-ins,” the millennial generation has rightly earned the disparaging label of “snowflakes.” But instead of shrugging off the moniker (or, better yet, proving it incorrect), young people, in true snowflake fashion, are whining about the term and its supposed effects on their mental health.
Par for the course.
According to research from a U.K.-based insurance firm, Aviva, 72% of 16-24 year-olds (note: this includes overlap with Generation Z) think the term “snowflake” is unfair and could negatively affect their mental health, reports The Telegraph.
It was also uncovered that young people are more prone to experiencing stress, depression, and anxiety in the last year than their elders. “Almost half of adults between 16 and 24 said they had experienced stress or anxiety, compared to just over a third of all UK adults,” notes The Telegraph.
Additionally, one in three young people were found to be “uncomfortable” talking about mental health issues, and more likely than their elders to say that they are experiencing a problem for which they have not sought help.
“Our findings suggest that young adults are more likely to be experiencing mental health problems, so using a phrase which criticises this age group could add to this issue,” said Aviva medical expert Dr. Doug Wright.
“Any term used disparagingly to a segment of the population is inherently negative,” said the doctor.
“While young adults in particular appear to take offence to the ‘snowflake’ label, the majority of adults agree that the term is unfair and unhelpful, so it’s important that people consider how such labels are used, and the cumulative effect they could have on their recipients,” added Wright.
While it’s true that those of us Millennials and Gen Z-ers have not been brought up in the most hospitable environment, maybe, just maybe, young people should fight back against this disparaging label by exhibiting behavior that does not include crying over an election loss, or throwing a physical temper tantrum when you hear arguments you dislike, instead of fulfilling the prophecy by complaining about our frail mental health.