MODULE: VAL02 – ETHICS
CHAPTER 9 - MILLENNIALS AND FILLENNIALS: ETHICAL CHALLENGES AND RESPONSES
A. Describe millennials and fillennials
B. Point out traits of the millennials and fillennials that are inimical to their
moral development as human persons
Values and Characteristics of the Millennial Generation
Who are Millennials?
Those who were born from 1981 to 1996. They are also known as
Generation Y. They were preceded by Generation X (1965 to 1980)
and were followed by Generation Z who were born from 1997 to 2012.
Where Millennials end and Generation Z begins.
What characterizes millennials?
One reported result of millennial optimism is entering into adulthood with unrealistic expectations which
sometimes leads to disillusionment, their expectations may have resulted from the very encouraging,
involved and almost ever-present group of parents that became known as helicopter parents.
Millennials are a generation that is dependent on technology to improve their job performance and
intends on a flexible schedule and strives for a better work-life (Choong, Keh, Tan, Lim & Tho, 2013).
Moreover, millennials were targeted due to their highly opinionated demeanor that is often viewed as
troubling, overly demanding, and uncommitted to the common workplace (Smith & Nichols, 2015).
1
MODULE: VAL02 – ETHICS
Being in their demanding youth, they have relatively fewer familial/ marital commitments, hence
endowing them with freedom to initiate their entrepreneurial prowess in the real world (Lee, Lee, Chua
& Han, 2017).
Other research findings on millenials are given below
More than anything, millennials are confident. This confidence comes from their trust and optimism
(Guha, 2010; Kowske, Rasch, & Wiley, 2010). Kaifi et al. (2012) felt that a generation's confidence was
fostered and molded by previous generations. Research shows that millennials rank higher in self-
esteem and assertiveness when compared to previous generations at that same age (Deal, Altman, &
Rogelberg, 2010)
Millennials are known to be achievement-focused. They have a need not only to do well, but to excel
and surpass all goals and aspirations (Kaifi et al., 2012; Kowske et al., 2010). This leads them to seek
out new learning opportunities.
Millennials are more willing to put forth extra effort to help an organization succeed. They are more
willing to go without social time, such as coffee breaks, and work extra hours in order to help an
organization. Hauw and Vos (2010)
Not only are millennials achievement-focused, but they feel accountable for their actions. Kowske et al.
(2010) explained that our education systems have instilled a sense of accountability and have caused
the Millennial generation to focus on achieving goals.
Millennials enjoy working in teams and are more tolerant than prior generations. Millennials have been
raised on sports teams, standardized testing, and group learning, so it is not surprising that this would
transfer into the workplace (Kowske et al., 2010).
The value of team work has also created tolerance to subjects of which older generations would not
approve. An example of this is demonstrated in a study conducted by Deal et al. (2010) where they
found that, on average, millennials object less to tattoos than the older generations, especially tattoos
on women. This growth in tolerance can be connected to growing up in a more diverse world and
working in teams to gain new perspectives in getting a project complete (Andert, 2011; Kaifi et al.,
2012).
2
MODULE: VAL02 – ETHICS
Millennials are family-focused and thus need to have a better work/ life balance. This generation grew
up with an emphasis on family which has created a shift in the workplace (Andert, 2011). Due to seeing
their parents go through economic layoffs and divorces, Ng, Schweitzer, & Lyons (2010) found that
millennials prefer focusing on their private lives as opposed to their careers. They stated that events
like the September 11th terrorist attacks have helped cause this new shift toward a more work/life
balance.
Millennials enjoy utilizing technology. The Millennial generation became dependent on
technology at an earlier age than other generations. Deal et al. (2010) found, much like learning a new
language, people who utilize technology at an earlier age become more proficient than people who
learn later in their life. (Kaifi et al., 2012). They are tech-savvy. (Source: Journal of Business Diversity
Vol. 15(1) 2015)
Common complaints from baby boomers are that millennials can be difficult to interact
with, are entitled, and overly service-focused (Deal et al., 2010). This comes from millennials expressing
opinions and making greater demands than their elder and more "experienced" counterparts
(Levenson, 2010).
Millennials are also known as the "Look at Me" generation because they are thought to
be too confident and concerned with their own interests. They also found that the younger generations
were perceived to be impatient, lacking in work ethic, self-important and disloyal. (Myers and
Sadaghiani (2010)
Millennials may attempt to gain important positions in large projects soon after being
hired (Myers & Sadaghiani, 2010). Coworkers can be taken aback by this, believing it to be arrogance
driving the new generation and not their need to overachieve.
Millennials' expectancy to work/life balance has, at times, created conflict with baby
boomer coworkers (Myers & Sadaghiani, 2010). This conflict could be the background mentality that
millennials are selfish and lazy. Myers and Sadaghiani (2010) wrote that the need for work/life balance
makes older generations doubt millennials concerning organizational commitment and dedication. They
also found that as millennials place more focus on their outside lives, baby boomers may begin to
question the sacrifices they made for their career. Older employees may begin taking a greater interest
in their own private lives, or additional conflicts may arise from these differing personal values.
3
MODULE: VAL02 – ETHICS
While ambition is found to be the most valued quality for baby boomers and Gen X,
millennials prefer a boss who cares more than any other quality (Andert, 2011). They also prefer their
managers to be inspiring and imaginative. Overall, millennials prefer a more interpersonal relationship
with their management and to know that their manager cares (Andert, 2011).
Millennials prefer a flexible work environment. Kaifi et al. (2012) found that millennials prefer
an organizational culture with few rules and regulations. With a high confidence level, millennials feel
they need less regulation to guide their decisions.
For the millennial generation, confidence is expressed not only in how they perform, but in
how they view themselves. When compared to older generations, millennials are less likely to identify
themselves as overweight even though they have a much higher rate of obesity and less overall fitness
(Deal et al., 2010).
Millennials also have higher expectations for advancement opportunities within their careers.
Hauw and Vos (2010) found that due to millennials' confidence and need to over achieve, they are
more likely to seek out career enhancing opportunities in an organization.
One thing that truly sets this newer generation apart is their preference for meaningful work
over well-paid work. While salary is still important in determining success, work that has meaning and
enjoyment in what one does rated higher in importance than financial gains (Hauw & Vos, 2010).
This is passion for meaning. Millennials rank social awareness high on organizational
responsibility and prefer work that is socially responsible. (Source: Journal of Business Diversity Vol.
15(1) 2015 41)
Based on research from Business Ethics, Professor Dr. James Weber, executive director
of the Institute for Ethics in Business at Duquesne University reports that "(w)hen compared to past
generations, millennials exhibit lower levels of cognitive moral reasoning." But millennials do have
ethics. According to the research work of Patricia A. Curtin, "contrary to popular opinion, millennials
don't lack ethics. It might be better said that they may have different values than older generations, but
many also demonstrate a strong belief in ethical decision-making processes that align with those of
older practitioners. In fact, our findings suggest they might hold a greater allegiance to deontological
thinking and to the principles underlying Public Relations Society of America's (PRSA) Code of Ethics."
4
MODULE: VAL02 – ETHICS
Fillennials
Filipino millennials have their own unique
characteristics, and thus are specifically called
fillennials. Fillennials are rising up to the dare. Gae
Martinez shared how Filipino millennials are
different.
"In our studies of the Filipino millennials, although they are generally considered as the type who
have a YOLO-mind-set (You Only Live Once), fillennials live at the moment and adventurous. We found
out that our culture and values make them different," Martinez explained. She, therefore, tagged this
market segment as "Fillennials," who are very passionate because they want to be better than their
parents. "That is why they try to achieve more, pursue higher studies. They recognize that living the life
and being able to live the life you deserve should enable one to live with its benefits," she added."
Fillennials are described as social-media dependent and also the "selfie-generation." They are
usually spendthrifts who usually spend for luxury goods and so are also described as "broke." They are
also described as narcissist, the "Me, Me, Me Generation." They are fun-loving, self- expressive and
liberal. However, they also possess positive traits like "politically and socially-engaged." According to
an article from the Philippine Star, they do not usually read newspapers but get information from Google
or Waze for road directions. They have short attention span. (Valeriano, Justine. Millennial Marketing:
Accessed 7-7-19)
An article of Nathan A. Heflick, Ph.D., The Psychology of "YOLO" discusses the characteristic
of millennials and fillennials: The catchphrase "YOLO" (you only live once) has become a cultural
sensation. It is not new. The Latin poet Horace coined the phrase "Carpe Diem" in 23 BC.
THE BENEFITS OF YOLO
Based on research, the catchphrase YOLO has some positive effects. Research on "post-
traumatic growth" started by Ronnie-Janoff Bulman of the University of Massachusetts has explored
how terminal illness diagnoses and near-fatal experiences influence people. After a period of initial
shock, many people, perhaps even most, experience profound shifts in terms of how they spend their
time, their appreciation of life, and their general sense of happiness. They report devoting more time to
5
MODULE: VAL02 – ETHICS
what they most truly enjoy, and not worrying nearly as much about much of what had previously
stressed them.
Research on "socioemotional selectivity theory" (Laura Carstensen, Stanford University)
explores the way that people devote their time as something - such as life becomes more scarce. This
research shows that as people age (as life becomes more scarce), they tend to devote more time to
activities and relationships that promote positivity and feeling good. They, conversely, spend less time
on things that will cause them to feel negatively... Older people, when looking at a visual scene, tend
to focus more on pleasant aspects of the image than unpleasant ones (relative to younger people).
Further research headed by Nathan De Wall, University of Kentucky show that when college students
are reminded of death in experiments, compared to a variety of control topics, they then spend more
time looking at positive words than negative words when shown both. In short, when people are aware
that life is more scarce, they focus more on positive things, and less on negative things. After all YOLO.
Research, headed by Laura King, University of Missouri shows that when reminded of death,
people become more aware that life is scarce. In turn, this causes people to believe that life is more
meaningful.
THE DOWNSIDE OF YOLO
Some unruly behaviors are associated with YOLO. Here are publicized cases of "YOLO" being
associated with some rather unruly behavior. These include a person tweeting "YOLO" before crashing
their car while driving drunk, and a young woman storming the field of a college football game
intoxicated, and after being arrested and released, tweeting "YOLO" in reference to the incident. YOLO
makes the millennial more daring. The research of professors Jeff Greenberg, Tom Pyszczynski,
Sheldon Solomon indicates that people respond to mortality thoughts in ways that bolster and enhance
their self-esteem and belief systems. In the case of men, mortality reminders cause them to drive more
recklessly. In other words, reminders of death, of the scarcity of life, often, ironically, promote reckless
behavior.
Globalization and Pluralism: New Challenges in Ethics
6
MODULE: VAL02 – ETHICS
Globalization
"The erosion of national boundaries and the reduced significance of national governments."
Suter, K., 2006). It is "moving from a world with borders to a world without." Nation states will remain in
existence but they have to work together with other centers of power such as
1. Transnational corporations,
2. inter government organizations like the United Nations and
3. Non-governmental organizations (NGO) such as environment movements.
As the song goes, it is a "small world after all" where "there's so much to share" since it has
become borderless. We cannot escape from globalization. It is now happening. It is like a "tsunami "
engulfing us.
Jan Scholte (2005), an expert in globalization, gave five different interpretations of globalization,
1. Internationalization,
2. Liberalization,
3. Universalization,
4. Modernization or Westernization and
5. Reterritorialization.
Internationalization - cross-border relations between countries. These relations include trade,
finance, and communication which create international interdependence among nations and peoples.
Liberalization - focuses on "open, borderless world economy." Trade and foreign exchange as well as
travel barriers are abolished or reduced, making it possible to participate in the world as a whole.
Universalization - the "various ways in which a synthesis of cultures has taken place, etc. such as
having a common calendar, shared common technology.
7
MODULE: VAL02 – ETHICS
Modernization or westernization -the ways that 'social structures of modernity'- capitalism, science,
movies, music have spread throughout the world.
Reterritorialization -in a highly globalized world "social space" is no longer wholly mapped in terms of
territorial places... and borders. Corporations and non-government organizations transcend local
geographic constraints.
Moral Challenges of Globalization
Along with globalization comes ethical or moral issues. If the values of people, particularly
moral values, are influenced by culture, then globalization where people are exposed to new ways of
doing things further enhances moral development, particularly global moral consciousness. The
challenge lies in the willingness of people used to thinking and assessing things within their smaller
context to adjust to a wider world view; particularly to develop a global consciousness. For instan ce,
the Filipino "kami" or "tayo" mentality which implies groupings within the confines of family, barangay,
and municipality will become a global "kami" or "tayo".
Global Ethics
Globalization includes the observance of global ethics (with an "s"). Global ethics is
concerned with the critical ethical inquiry into the nature and justification of values and norms that are
global in kind and into the various issues that arise such as world poverty and international aid,
environmental problems, peace and security, intervention, human rights, gender equality, child labor,
torture, scarce resources, trafficking. Migration, climate change, global trade, medical tourism,
There are global problems or issues that require corresponding ethical considerations.
1)Global Poverty -Is there a moral duty to help the global poor? Should wealthy nations share their
wealth to the poor nations? A quotation traced by St. Thomas to its author, St. Ambrose states: "It is
the hungry man's bread that you withhold" or hoard. Fr. Gerry Orbos, SVD said: "If only we learned to
share, no one will have so little, and no one will have too much." Of course, the basis of the moral
obligation is the principle of love. Some countries cannot help being poor, due lack of resources, or
technical knowhow to develop and manage their resources. Wealthy nations are lucky they have both
8
MODULE: VAL02 – ETHICS
in place, resources and skills of management, compounded by a culture of honesty and discipline. Poor
nations are unlucky they are governed by dictators who are also corrupt. Because from the very start,
they are already on the disadvantage or losing end, the Vatican adopted the policy of preferential option
for the poor.
2) Migration People- living in poor places, or being ruled by oppressive, dictatorial tyrannic regimes
long migrate to places where they or to believe life is better. The moral or ethical issue is whether or
not the receiving countries, in a Christian spirit, will simply open their doors without considering the
negative impact of the migrants on their own citizens. There is a limit to the absorptive capacity of the
receiving countries; they may even end up regretting why they open their doors in the first place,
especially when some of the migrants manage to enter to enforce their mission to inflict harm.
3) Environmental Ethics -it possible to derive an "ought" with regard to the environment? Why should
I not throw my garbage of plastic into the river? Why should my car pass the anti-smoke belching test?
Why should I not dump my garbage to another country? Why should nations stop emitting pollutants
into the atmosphere, particularly carbon dioxide? What is the basis of the moral obligation? It may be
stated as one's obligation not to tamper with the environment which boomerangs as harm to humans.
One should not do things that will ultimately cause harm to others. The biblical mandate to "have
dominion" over the environment means responsible dominion, stewardship. In contrast, we have
"raped" our environment.
4) Pluralism vs. Fundamentalism -As a political philosophy, pluralism is the recognition and
affirmation of diversity within a political body, which permits the peaceful coexistence of different
interests, convictions and lifestyles. Pluralism as to content refers to diversity, to differences in values
and beliefs, and to notions of "otherness." Pluralism about morality "may be understood as a form of
relativism which holds that there is no single objective or universal standard." The challenge is to find
common grounds and build up from there. The question to ask in all meetings is, what is morally best
for all parties and not what is legal or lawful.
Despite pluralism as an offshoot of globalization, there are sectors who refuse to get out from where
they are used to. Their movement is called fundamentalism. This refers to any sect or movement within
a religion that emphasizes a rigid adherence to what it conceives of as the fundamental principles of its
9
MODULE: VAL02 – ETHICS
faith, usually resulting in a denouncement of alternative practices and interpretations. Whoever is not
with them is "against" them, and therefore an enemy who should be "piously" killed, that is, killed in the
name of God.
ETHICS book
Ruben A. Corpuz, AB English-Philo, LIB, PhD
Brenda B. Corpuz, BSE, MAED, PhD
(https://business.inquirer.net/257324/millenials-
https://www.psychologytodaycom/it//blog/the-big-questions,
https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/global-ethics/what-is-global-ethics/074D6573
10
