Millennials (born 1982-95/97) are, according to Strauss-Howe generational theory, a Civic generation. They have had much more protective upbringing and longer childhood than the older generations, and as teenagers had less rebellious reputation. Their clothing style is typically more clean-cut and conformist than Xers'. Millennials have popularized the online lifestyle, with smart phones and social media becoming mainstream in the late 2000s. Many millennials have also fully adopted political correctness and social liberalism. Their adulthood was delayed by the effects of the Great Recession of 2008, and as a result, many of them were involved in socialist movements like Occupy Wall Street. Millennials are often criticized for a sense of entitlement, having received generous help from their parents and expecting the some from the government.
The end date of the millennial generation has not yet been determined by S&H theorists. In pop-culture, it is usually considered to be 1995 or 1997, with people born later considered generation Z. However, Neil Howe claims that the proper date cannot be determined until the beginning of a new generational cycle (scheduled to happen about 2030). This would mean that most, or all members of generation Z will eventually be recognized as millennials.