Comparative Analysis

These days, it's not difficult to get a Millennial to wax nostalgically about their 2000s upbringing. In fact, Millennials (those born roughly between 1981 and 1996) enjoyed quite a different adolescence than the generations that followed. With no social media, much less the Internet, Millennial childhoods often had lighter parental oversight and more freedom to roam about. In contrast, the childhoods of your generation, Generation Z (born roughly between 1997 and 2012), were marked by helicopter parenting and heavy online use.

For this (part analysis/part memoir) comparative essay, you will contrast your own Gen Z upbringing with that of a typical Millennial, particularly those who came of age in the 2000s. You should draw the evidence of a Millennial adolescence from the readings in the eReader. The Gen Z portion, however, should come from your own upbringing.* Remember to ground your comparative essay in a solid thesis.

Additionally, if you would like to utilize anything said by our guest speaker, Ryan McEachern, use the following in your works cited: 

McEachern, Ryan. "A Millennial Upbringing the 2000s." 18 Sep. 2025, SJSU, San Jose, CA. Guest Lecture.

*Obviously, COVID-19 unexpectedly upended all Gen Z’s childhoods. Feel free to mention the pandemic and how it might've derailed certain aspects of your youth.

Requirements:

• MLA Style (including works cited)
• Approx. 500-750 words

Due: Mon 9.22 (submitted via Canvas) [UPDATED DUE DATE]