To Be Rich and Famous

Fight poverty, global warming, or hunger? Sure, but only after they are rich and famous. According to a Pew Research Study released this week, Generation Y wants to be both rich and famous first.

USA Today features an article on the study of Generation Y's goals. According to young people interviewed for the article, television plays a strong role in feeding their drive for wealth. In addition, young people strive to be unique from the crowd. A quote from the article explains this:

Jason Barg, 24, a 2004 graduate of Penn State University who works for a Philadelphia accounting firm and founded an online real estate company, says notoriety is more about standing out from the crowd.

"A primary goal of people my age is not necessarily to become famous but to become distinctive," he says.

Now, young people can be celebrities in their own worlds by posting videos on YouTube, posing like a model on MySpace or creating an online reality show featuring themselves. Pew found 54% of those 18 to 25 have used social networking sites such as MySpace or Facebook; 44% have created a profile featuring photos, hobbies or interests.

An earlier article in December's USA Today shares that the road to wealth for Generation Y is not only Hollywood fame, but creating their own fame as entrepreneurs with "Customized Careers." It shows the creativity and power young people can tap into as they forge their own path in the "real world."

The Pew poll was commissioned by MacNeil/Lehrer Productions. Their project Generation Next, hosted by Judy Woodruff, is currently examining some of these same priorities of young people. It airs on PBS.