As an employer and a college instructor, I've seen it in employees and students alike. I do NOT like generalizations, and I see problematic behaviors in folks from all age groups. However, what I have seen is a disproportionate amount of entitlement behaviors in the folks in the "millennial" group. I use quotes because I think the age range is somewhat fluid.
As students, so many feel truly entitled to an "A" just for showing up to class. Many miss turning in assignments and are absolutely astounded they have a poor grade. They are in genuine shock, and don't understand why they can't just make it up with extra credit. This is college folks. We don't hold your hand. And yes, I have had complaints lodged with school administration for my "unfairness" and I have had to defend myself (which I have always done quite successfully, but it is a pain in the ass). There's a reason I document everything. 
But then there are other students in that age range that go above and beyond and are always on top of everything. Even if they aren't "A" students, they are still on it. I love having those students! 
Because I teach business classes, and have a wide range of ages as students, we sometimes get into some "heated" discussions between the age groups relating to the business world. The millennials spar with with Gen Xers and a few Baby Boomers. I let them debate with the requirement that it stay respectful. They need to learn how to disagree with others and still remain professional and respectful. I actually stress that in class. The debates are quite entertaining, to say the least, especially since I often have several veterans in class as well. What I hear in the back and forth "accusations" is exactly what is being said in this thread. The "millennials" feel they are misunderstood, treated unfairly, and want their personal life to be given as much importance as their work life. The other groups roll their eyes and tell them that is not how the real world works and they need to toughen up and not be so sensitive. This plays out in almost every class I teach, and after ten years I have seen it escalate. It seems about five years ago it really started to intensify, IIRC, and has gotten worse.
As an employer, sadly, I have not had one millennial hire that did not display all these behaviors. Constructive criticism is necessary to improve work performance, but is never well received no matter how much I try to soften it. My experience has been that they (my employees) feel they are simply never wrong, and that there should be exceptions to almost every standing office policy to accommodate them in some way. Unfortunately, that would be highly disruptive and is not realistic.
Both my DDs are "millennials" and, of course, I love them. But they are what I would consider to be the exception to the stereotype. Not because I am biased, but because they are ashamed of being lumped in that category and tend to bash their own generation. My oldest DD worked full time and went to college, paying her way. She had some small scholarships but not much. She graduated with her Masters and currently has her own home. She did not move back home once. When she needed a new car, she just got another job with nary a complaint because that is just what she needed to do.
My youngest DD was military and married military, so that's a different employment animal. She has no desire to go to college, but she makes good money anyway and is a very hard worker. SHE hates her generation.
When I was raising my kids, I worked full time and went to college full time. This went on for 14 years (and yes, I am still paying on my student loans). My now X worked full time too. We had childcare, and utilized before/after school care where we could. In-laws would watch them once in a while, but XFIL was battling cancer so I spent more time taking care of him (I took him to all his radiation/chemo therapy appts). Was it hard? Yes. Did I want to give up at times because I didn't know what time of day it was half the time? Yes. But I didn't give up and dug deep inside and simply did what I had to do.
My kids grew up watching me do the above. They have told me time and again that made a big impression on them, and is the reason they also have a strong work ethic and sense of personal-responsibility. I am incredibly proud of them and the adults they have become.
I certainly don't "hate" any particular group. I dislike certain behaviors exhibited by people, regardless of what "group" they fall into. It is very frustrating trying to talk logic and reason with these difficult people because they simply don't want to hear it. Their way is the right way and the only way. Period.
[This message edited by Phoenix1 at 4:45 PM, December 6th (Thursday)]
