Resisting the Influence of Neoliberalism on Millennial Faculty through Critical Communication Pedagogy and Critical Mentoring

Abstract

Because the millennial generation has had great influence on society, scholars, educators, and corporations are interested in what defines this highly-educated and self-absorbed generation. They want to know more about the ways in which millennials’ lives have been shaped — from childhood to adulthood. In this chapter, I will argue that the greatest influence on the lives of millennials is the inimical influence of neoliberalism. I will demonstrate the ways in which parents of millennials raise their children to internalize a “me first” attitude — the same attitude embraced by the free market. I will then argue that neoliberally driven education further inculcates free-market principles which are devoid of critical thought and concern for marginalized people. Finally, I will discuss how millennials who enter the realm of higher education as faculty can resist the neoliberal pressure of the university through critical faculty mentoring.