June 6, 2015 - Intro to the Generations (Opinion)

Today in America, our youngest generations are growing up with at least three generations ahead of them. This is unheard of in human history. Some even have their parents, grandparents and great-grandparent living under the same roof. This has created some distinct generational differences.

• The Greatest Generation: (typically born from 1901-1924~) Tom Brokaw described the generation in his book entitled, "The Greatest Generation" as the "the greatest generation any society has ever produced." Many members of this generational group weathered the Great Depression and fought in World War II and made a substantial contribution to the war effort. Many members of this generation are over 100 or at least 91, as of 2015. 
• The Silent Generation: (typically born from 1925-1942/1945~) This generational group is described as having fewer members as the financial insecurity of the 1930s and the war in the 1940s caused many couples to have fewer children. It includes many of those that fought in the Korean War as well. Many members of this generation are between the ages of 90 and 73 or 70, as of 2015.
• The Baby Boomers: (typically born from 1942/1945-1964~) By far the largest generational group of all, many born after the conclusion of World War II. Cited from Wikipedia, "They are often associated with a rejection or redefinition of traditional values... As a group, they were the wealthiest, most active and physically fit generation up to that time, and amongst the first to grow up genuinely expecting the world to improve with time. They were also the generation that received peak levels of income; therefore, they could reap the benefits of abundant levels of food, apparel, retirement programs, and sometimes even "midlife crisis" products. The increased consumerism for this generation has been regularly criticized as excessive. One feature of the boomers was they tended to think of themselves as a special generation, very different from those that had come before. Starting in the 1980s, many boomers became more conservative, many of them regretting the cultural changes they brought in their youth. Eventually, they rose to prominent positions in corporations and organizations bringing about immense change to the world. Many members of this generation are between the ages of 73 or 70 and 51, as of 2015.
• Generation X: (typically born from 1965-1984~)* Classified as the children of the post-World War II baby boomers. Cited from Wikipedia, "compared with previous generations, this Generation X represents a more apparently heterogeneous generation, openly acknowledging and embracing social diversity in terms of such characteristics as race, class, religion, ethnicity, culture, language, language, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Unlike their parents who challenged leaders with an intent to replace them, Gen Xers are less likely to idolize leaders and moe inclined to work toward long-term institutional and systematic change through economic, media and consumer actions. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Generation X statistically holds the highest education levels when looking at current age groups. Many members of this generation are between the ages of 50 and 31.
• Generation Y/Millenials/The Stalled Generation: (typically born from 1985-2004~)** The Economist has surveyed the political attitudes among Millennials in the UK suggesting increasingly liberal attitudes with regard to social and cultural issues, as well as higher overall support for classical liberal economic policies than preceding generations. They are more likely to support same-sex marriage and the legalization of marijuana. The Economist also surveyed Millennials in the US, whose attitudes are more supportive of social liberal polices and same-sex marriage relative to other demographics, though less supportive of abortion than Gen X were in the early 1990s. Ruth Milkman has attributed the generation as "more racially and ethnically diverse than any generation: about 43% are non-white (Latinos are the largest and fastest growing group). And they are the most highly educated generation in US history." Cited from Wikipedia, "research has shown that Gen X members worked their way up the corporate ladder, advancing by learning new job skills. The Baby Boomers were dependent on their employers to take care of them if they worked hard. The 'technologically savvy" Millennials, conversely, were 'more risk-taking in their careers' and expected 'fast-paced results.' If they weren't challenging enough, or if they felt like they were in a dead-end job, they would move on.' In the US, Millennials are less likely to practice religion than older generations and are more skeptical of religious institutions. A sentiment among some members of this generation is to describe themselves as "90's kids," a source of nostalgia for many as they grew up during the Clinton-era budget surplus and a booming economy in the US. Due to economic recession, they are less likely to move away from their parents homes and instead stay longer than previous generations. Many members of this generation are between the ages of 30 and 11. 
  
• Generation Z/Post-Millenials/iGen/Plurals: (typically born from 2005-2024~)*** This generational group is predicted to be the most diverse generation in US history and more likely to include people from different ethnic backgrounds, religions and races into their social groups. They are also predicted to be the least likely to believe in the American Dream, while the Boomers and their Millennial children are more likely to believe it. There is a prevailing theory among some, that the "Helicopter parenting" of Gen Y will be a factor for some members as they may struggle with separating from their parents, who were members of the "Stalled generation." As they struggled to ascend to higher positions still being held by members of the Baby Boomers and Gen X. Growing up in the post-9/11 US, they have know nothing of the world before the US Patriot Act and an economic recession. By far the youngest generation, the oldest being age 10 and below.
• Generation A/Generation Alpha: (typically born from 2025-2044~) A hypothetical term to describe the children of Generation Z, many members of Gen Y and some of Gen X. The oldest members of this generation will grow up in a time of great physical and social change for the planet. If an individual born in 2025 were to graduate High School, they would graduate in 2043. It has been predicted by many climate scientists that there has been no slow-down in climate change in fact we are on the precipice of a great increase. We are already seeing years-long droughts in California, sea level rise beginning to effect regions in Asia and America, an increase in pollution in the atmosphere as well as the oceans acidifying at faster and faster rates. In the late 2030s/early 2040s, the youth of this generation will grow increasing angry at previous generations for having let the planet be destroyed for short-term profits. They will feel no nostalgia for the past, they will have an absolute disdain for the excess of the Boomers and Gen X. They may feel empathy for their grandparents in Gen Y and parents in Gen Z, having been short-changed themselves, growing up in an increasingly deteriorating world. This generation may experience religious cleavage with 50% being irreligious and 50% being religious. In an increasing deteriorating world, many youth will turn toward religion for an answer/solution. The irreligious will be a cross-section of pessimists, optimists and realists. But this will not stop them from changing the world for the better. They will save the world.****

*Generation X is actually less specific in its birth frame, which is generally considered being the early 1960s and early 1980s.

**Generation Y aka "the Millenials," are also less specific to their birth frame, which is generally considered to be the early 1980s and early 2000s.

***Generation Z aka "post-Millennials," are considered to be born from the mid-late 1990s, but more commonly anyone born from the mid-2000s to the present day.

****Generation Alpha and their future plight will be an upcoming feature at this blog.