The Most Praised Generation Goes To Wor
Kelley Burke
Professor Bowen
English 101-021
24 October, 2014
The New Narcissism In “The Most Praised Generation goes to Work,” Jeffery Zaslow focuses on the effects that praise has on this new generation and what that means for today’s businesses. Zaslow argues that the younger generation has been overly praised and that is creating a different atmosphere in today’s workplace. He describes businesses hiring special positions that just give praise and positions that train managers on how to be more gentle. He believes that a lot of today’s youth feels insecure unless praised by their employers. He also feels that because of this praise system set up by adults to children, has helped increase the narcissism the younger generation has. Zaslow continues to discuss the generation gap and how the oldest generation is content with the paycheck as praise. Zaslow’s argument of “Praise junkies” changing the workplace is strong and supported through the use of reliable sources and his effective use of appeals.
In one of Zaslow’s arguments, he mentions how praise raises spirits in the workplace as well as within marriage. But “in the process, people’s positive traits can be exaggerated,” which makes those words meaningless. This is a valid point Zaslow has; when some words are over used, it creates a stigma that these words are just too ordinary for people. Zaslow mention’s a therapist, Judy Neary, who writes that too many of her clients come in explaining that they “told her she’s beautiful all the time, and she doesn’t believe it”[222]. Neary, talking to a client, shows how this word stigma has changed the face of relationships because society is so use to receiving praise and compliments with the same language. Zaslow continues on to compare the three generations: the over sixty, the baby boomers, and the under forty, or praise junkies. He finds the oldest generation feels rewarded by paychecks, the baby boomers feel rewarded with small gifs, like a back massage, and
Professor Bowen
English 101-021
24 October, 2014
The New Narcissism In “The Most Praised Generation goes to Work,” Jeffery Zaslow focuses on the effects that praise has on this new generation and what that means for today’s businesses. Zaslow argues that the younger generation has been overly praised and that is creating a different atmosphere in today’s workplace. He describes businesses hiring special positions that just give praise and positions that train managers on how to be more gentle. He believes that a lot of today’s youth feels insecure unless praised by their employers. He also feels that because of this praise system set up by adults to children, has helped increase the narcissism the younger generation has. Zaslow continues to discuss the generation gap and how the oldest generation is content with the paycheck as praise. Zaslow’s argument of “Praise junkies” changing the workplace is strong and supported through the use of reliable sources and his effective use of appeals.
In one of Zaslow’s arguments, he mentions how praise raises spirits in the workplace as well as within marriage. But “in the process, people’s positive traits can be exaggerated,” which makes those words meaningless. This is a valid point Zaslow has; when some words are over used, it creates a stigma that these words are just too ordinary for people. Zaslow mention’s a therapist, Judy Neary, who writes that too many of her clients come in explaining that they “told her she’s beautiful all the time, and she doesn’t believe it”[222]. Neary, talking to a client, shows how this word stigma has changed the face of relationships because society is so use to receiving praise and compliments with the same language. Zaslow continues on to compare the three generations: the over sixty, the baby boomers, and the under forty, or praise junkies. He finds the oldest generation feels rewarded by paychecks, the baby boomers feel rewarded with small gifs, like a back massage, and