Millennials: A New Generation Takes Center Stage

Do you sleep with your cell phone nearby? How often do you play video games? Do you have a profile on a social networking site? These are just some of the questions asked by Pew in an attempt to paint a picture of the common attitudes and behaviors of the 50 million Americans – about one in six – who are between 18 and 29 years old.

Although the results may not shock a Millennial, an understanding of how today's young people operate and think can signal how American society will look in years to come when Millennials become the dominant culture.

Take Pew's quiz to find out how Millennial you are.

A diverse, educated and hopeful young America

	According to the survey, only 41 percent are working full-time jobs.

Pew found that this group of young people is more ethnically and racially diverse than the generations that preceded it. About 61 percent of Americans ages 18 to 29 are white compared to 70 percent of American's age 30 and up.  Millennials are also more likely to be Hispanic (19 percent) than generations before.

According to the survey, the number of Millennials currently in college or hoping to attend one is higher than ever, an indication that you could become the most educated group of Americans ever.

Although Millennials are entering the workforce during a time of economic instability and 37 percent are unemployed or out of the workforce, Millennials remain optimistic about their hopes for the future.

"We know that young people tend to be optimistic in the face of tough economic times, but I think it's especially interesting that there's so much optimism considering that there's so much unemployment," a co-editor of the Pew report Scott Keeter told the Washington Post.

Self expressive and plugged-in

	80 percent of Millennials surveyed had sent texts in the past 24 hours.

Millennials "embrace multiple modes of self-expression," be it through technology, political engagement or even tattoos and piercings.

 "I text about 150 times a day," Millennial Joseph Mickens told the NewsHour. "I go check my e-mail every day, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, tag, all the, you know, social sites, so, yes, the iPhone. You know, I play video games all the time."

While it may not come as a surprise to most young people, use of technology and being constantly connected to peers separates Milliennials from other age groups.

Millennials are also more likely to be politically liberal or more tolerant of different ideologies and lifestyles. Over 66 percent voted for President Obama in the 2008 election, although their overall confidence in him has since waned.

Nearly 38 percent of Millennials have at least one tattoo and almost one in four Millennials has a piercing somewhere other than their earlobe, a rate six times higher than older Americans.

What's in a generation?

	1994's Reality Bites is considered a seminal film for members of Generation X.

The study of groups by age and common cultural attitudes has become an accepted if imperfect practice of social science.  According to Pew, many scholars have found it illuminating to study generational differences.

The Greatest Generation, a term coined by journalist Tom Brokaw, grew up during the Great Depression, fought in World War II and helped America emerge from the war as a global superpower.

Baby Boomers are named after the post-World War II spike in births when economic growth and a period of relative peace made it possible for many people to settle down and have families. Born between 1946 and 1964, the massive Baby Boomer generation came of age during the political and social turmoil of the 1960s and 70s.  They are now middle-aged and entering retirement. Millennials are the first generation to rival the Baby Boomers in size.

Born after the Vietnam War, members of Generation X are often depicted as cynical and self-involved in response to the optimism of the 1960s, as depicted in films such as "Reality Bites."

Take a look at the Pew Research Center's interactive graphic to see how your generation compares to three others.