Decoding the Generations

At my job, we have a class that people can take, called “Generations at Work.” In theory, the class provides insight into how people think and work, depending on how being born in their generation shaped them. I have an easier way to learn this stuff: my good friend Wikipedia (don’t ever go away again, Wikipedia!) Here’s what Wikipedia says, and a couple extra notes I would add:

The Greatest Generation (1901 – 1924). Wikipedia’s description: This is the generation that includes the veterans who fought in World War II. As Tom Brokaw described, “These men and women fought not for fame and recognition, but because it was the right thing to do. When they came back they rebuilt America into a superpower." My addition: Mostly dead or very old. Wear those awesome American Legion hats. March in 4th of July parades.

The Silent Generation (1925 to 1945). Wikipedia’s description: This generation is recognized as the children of the Great Depression; this event during their formative years had a profound impact on them. Many great artistic figures were from the Silent Generation, including musicians Jimi Hendrix and Ray Charles, beat poets Allen Ginsburg and Jack Kerouac, and civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King and Gloria Steinem. No US President, however, has been elected from this generation. My addition: Fond of saying, “When I was your age, I had to walk uphill to school with newspaper in my shoes to keep out the cold.” Mostly live in Boca Raton and Arizona. Still call Asians “Orientals,” and are getting progressively more adorable. Own and use handkerchiefs.

The Baby Boom Generation (1946 – 1964). Wikipedia’s description: This is the generation that was born following World War II, from 1946 up to 1964, a time that was marked by an increase in birth rates. In general, baby boomers are associated with a rejection or redefinition of traditional values. In North America boomers are widely associated with privilege, as many grew up in a time of affluence. In the 1960s, as the relatively large numbers of young people became teenagers and young adults, they, and those around them, created a very specific mindset and language to communicate with and about their generation, and the change they were bringing about. My addition: Totally stealing all of our Social Security! The younger part of this generation was raised with all of the benefits of social welfare, but is increasingly becoming The Man. The older segment generally needs to go on a diet. Like clothes from Coldwater Creek.

Generation X (1965 – 1982) Wikipedia’s description: This is the generation generally defined as those born after the baby boom ended. "Generation X" has always signified a group of young people, seemingly without identity, who face an uncertain, ill-defined (and perhaps hostile) future. Those associated with Generation X have cultural perspectives and political experiences that were shaped by events such as the 1979 energy crisis, the Chernobyl disaster, Black Monday, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the introduction of the home computer, the video game era, cable television and the Internet, the AIDS epidemic, the War on Drugs, the Iran hostage crisis, Iran-Contra Affair, Operation Desert Storm, the Dot-com bubble, alternative rock, and the global influence of the hip hop culture and music genre. They are often called the MTV Generation. My addition: Rock and Roller Cola Wars, I can’t take it anymore. Currently dressing way too young for its age, have a number of ill-advised tattoos, and raised in equal parts by the television and by Where the Wild Things Are. Easily addicted to Sudoku and prescription drugs. Unpredictable – might quote Star Trek or Rush Limbaugh. Reads this blog.

Generation Y (or Millennials) (1982 – 2001). Wikipedia’s description: generally marked by an increased use and familiarity with communications, media, and digital technologies. This generation shows attributes of confidence and tolerance, as well as a sense of entitlement, narcissism and rejection of social conventions. The Millennials are sometimes called the "Trophy Generation", or "Trophy Kids," a term that reflects the trend in competitive sports, as well as many other aspects of life, where mere participation is frequently enough for a reward. Some employers are concerned that Millennials have too great expectations from the workplace. Studies predict that Generation Y will switch jobs frequently due to their great expectations of high expectations for advancement, salary and for a coaching relationship with their manager. My addition: More likely to elect a President based on a fifteen second sound byte than a concerted study of the issues. Probably cannot recognize all of the states of their own country on a map. Genuinely think they are the most interesting person in the world, as evidenced by their Facebook posts, tweets, and text messages. Soft. So soft.

Generation Z, also known as Generation “I” (2001 – present). Wikipedia’s description: This generation has also been born completely into an era of postmodernism and globalization. Some parents of Generation Z are working part time or becoming stay-at-home parents so that children are raised by them and other family members instead of a day care facility. A recent poll found that 81 percent of 7- to 13-year-olds expect they will have their "15 minutes of fame." My addition: More than anything else, this generation needs to learn how to shovel a sidewalk, change a tire, write a five-paragraph essay, show empathy, use a pen, listen attentively for twenty minutes, wear longer skirts, and use spell check. There’s still time, Generation Z’ers. There’s still time.