Last post, I presented the first three living generations of the six currently sharing this planet: the GI Generation, the Mature/Silents, and the Baby Boomers.
According to Dr. Jill Novak of Texas A & M University, each of the six generations are comprised of fairly distinct groups of people who have their own general attributes. These attributes are in fact heavily influenced by the collective experiences each generation uniquely shares. However, it must be emphasized that, in the end, everybody still gets to choose the quality of their own inner life. Although "nature" does have a significant impact on how we turn out as people when we reach adulthood, it's that "nurture" part that counts for just as much. Without knowing and identifying what our own philosophical truths and purpose for being actually is...we will be easily blown like dust in the wind; in one direction and then in the other. What are your own core values? What is the nature of your own moral compass? What's your point for being here? What is your life's calling?
Generation X is the generation that was born between 1965 and 1980. These are the "latch-key kids" who grew up isolated, often with divorced or career-driven parents. The term "latch-key" came from the house key kids wore around their necks, since they would go home after school to an empty house. Generation X kids have been said to have grown up street smart, but are cynical of many major institutions because of their childhood experiences. Unlike their own parents, this generation has been eager to make marriage work and "be there" for their own kids. Ironically, Gen X'ers have been late to marry after living with each other first...and quick to divorce. As such, a vast majority of Gen X'ers have themselves become single parents.
Gen X'ers were raised in the transition phase of written based knowledge to digital knowledge archives. According to Novak, most remember being in school without computers and then having them introduced either in middle or high school. Gen X'ers have been shown to be conversationally shallow because relating consists of shared time watching video movies, instead of active interaction with previous generations. They are the first generation where their own school problems revolved around drug use.
Gen X'ers are short on loyalty and wary of commitment; all values are relative and everybody must tolerate everybody else no matter what. They are self-absorbed and survivors as individuals. They are cautious, unimpressed with authority, and self-reliant. They also represent the group which first began obsessing about individual rights prevailing over the common good; this is the same time the AIDS epidemic began to spread as the first lethal infectious disease in the history of any culture on earth (not subject to any quarantine) due to an infected person engaging in unsafe sexual practices, sharing needs during intravenous drug use, donating blood, or exchanging blood/seminal fluid with a non-infected person.
This generation averages seven career changes in their lifetime; it was and is not normal to work for a company for "life", unlike the generations before them. Lastly, Gen X'ers are deeply in credit card debt as they want what they want and want it now..without saving to buy "it".
Generation Y/Millennials are those who were born between 1981 and the year 2000. As one of the largest generations in history with 77 million people, the American Youth Culture that began with them is now ending with them and their activism has begun to re-emerge.
This generation is also known as the "9/11 Generation" "Echo Boomers" and represent a great departure from Generation X. Y'ers have been nurtured by omnipresent parents, are optimistic, and focused. They also respect authority...in spite of the fact that they have lived with the thought of being shot at in school; they learned early that the world is NOT a safe place. Of all the generations which preceded Millennials, they have had the most exposure and experience with acts of domestic terrorism.
Y'ers schedule everything; they also have felt great academic pressure. They have great expectations for themselves and prefer digital literacy as they grew up in a digital environment. I can speak to this as I can recall placing our 1986 baby on her dad's knee as he first showed her the bouncy ball "blip blip blip" on our home computer. Y'ers have never known a world without computers. They get all of their information and most of their socialization from the Internet.
Millennials also like to work in teams; because of their unlimited access to information..they tend to be more assertive and possess strong views. This generation, however, does not live to work; they prefer a more relaxed work environment with a lot of hand holding and accolades.
Generation "Z" or the Boomlets are those of us who were born after 2001.
In 2006, there were a record number of births in this country and 49% of them were of Hispanic origin. This fact changes the American melting pot in terms of behavior and culture. The number of births in 2006 far outnumbered the start of the Baby Boom Generation; the Boomlets will easily be a larger generation.
Since the early 1700's...the most common last name in the USA was "Smith". Not anymore; now it is "Rodriguez" (shout out to Kara and Evan!).
There are two age groups right now: Tweens who are between 8-12 years old and represent an estimated 29 million by 2009. Tweens spend $51 each year with an additional $170 billion spent by their parents and family members directly for them.
The next group comprising Boomlets are the Toddlers/Elementary school-aged children. 61% of children beginning at age 8 have television sets in their bedrooms. 35% have video games; 14% have a DVD player, and 4 million will have their own cell phones. Of course, Boomlets have never known a world without cell phones and computers.
Boomlets have eco-fatigue; they are tired of hearing about the environment and the many ways we have to save it. They are KGOY: "Kids Growing Older Younger". Instead of playing with age-appropriate toys...they want electronics such as video games and cell phones. This is also the generation that has instant access to pornography as children through their personal electronics, including cell phones.
Boomlets are savvy consumers in spite of their young age; they know what they want and how to get it. They are oversaturated with brands as a general rule of thumb.
So here you have it; our six living generations. In an age where technology is the new addiction process, we have to wonder what price we will pay in generations to come when today's 10 year old cannot "live" without his or her IPhone. For kids who choose to stay holed up in their rooms (on their electronics!) for more hours during the weekend than you or I (as adults) spend at work each day...what will that do to our collective ability to effectively communicate "live" and "in person" over time? As I know I think about these things, I can easily see how we are creating future generations who know everything---and yet nothing---both at the same time!
Until next time...
According to Dr. Jill Novak of Texas A & M University, each of the six generations are comprised of fairly distinct groups of people who have their own general attributes. These attributes are in fact heavily influenced by the collective experiences each generation uniquely shares. However, it must be emphasized that, in the end, everybody still gets to choose the quality of their own inner life. Although "nature" does have a significant impact on how we turn out as people when we reach adulthood, it's that "nurture" part that counts for just as much. Without knowing and identifying what our own philosophical truths and purpose for being actually is...we will be easily blown like dust in the wind; in one direction and then in the other. What are your own core values? What is the nature of your own moral compass? What's your point for being here? What is your life's calling?
Generation X is the generation that was born between 1965 and 1980. These are the "latch-key kids" who grew up isolated, often with divorced or career-driven parents. The term "latch-key" came from the house key kids wore around their necks, since they would go home after school to an empty house. Generation X kids have been said to have grown up street smart, but are cynical of many major institutions because of their childhood experiences. Unlike their own parents, this generation has been eager to make marriage work and "be there" for their own kids. Ironically, Gen X'ers have been late to marry after living with each other first...and quick to divorce. As such, a vast majority of Gen X'ers have themselves become single parents.
Gen X'ers were raised in the transition phase of written based knowledge to digital knowledge archives. According to Novak, most remember being in school without computers and then having them introduced either in middle or high school. Gen X'ers have been shown to be conversationally shallow because relating consists of shared time watching video movies, instead of active interaction with previous generations. They are the first generation where their own school problems revolved around drug use.
Gen X'ers are short on loyalty and wary of commitment; all values are relative and everybody must tolerate everybody else no matter what. They are self-absorbed and survivors as individuals. They are cautious, unimpressed with authority, and self-reliant. They also represent the group which first began obsessing about individual rights prevailing over the common good; this is the same time the AIDS epidemic began to spread as the first lethal infectious disease in the history of any culture on earth (not subject to any quarantine) due to an infected person engaging in unsafe sexual practices, sharing needs during intravenous drug use, donating blood, or exchanging blood/seminal fluid with a non-infected person.
This generation averages seven career changes in their lifetime; it was and is not normal to work for a company for "life", unlike the generations before them. Lastly, Gen X'ers are deeply in credit card debt as they want what they want and want it now..without saving to buy "it".
Generation Y/Millennials are those who were born between 1981 and the year 2000. As one of the largest generations in history with 77 million people, the American Youth Culture that began with them is now ending with them and their activism has begun to re-emerge.
This generation is also known as the "9/11 Generation" "Echo Boomers" and represent a great departure from Generation X. Y'ers have been nurtured by omnipresent parents, are optimistic, and focused. They also respect authority...in spite of the fact that they have lived with the thought of being shot at in school; they learned early that the world is NOT a safe place. Of all the generations which preceded Millennials, they have had the most exposure and experience with acts of domestic terrorism.
Y'ers schedule everything; they also have felt great academic pressure. They have great expectations for themselves and prefer digital literacy as they grew up in a digital environment. I can speak to this as I can recall placing our 1986 baby on her dad's knee as he first showed her the bouncy ball "blip blip blip" on our home computer. Y'ers have never known a world without computers. They get all of their information and most of their socialization from the Internet.
Millennials also like to work in teams; because of their unlimited access to information..they tend to be more assertive and possess strong views. This generation, however, does not live to work; they prefer a more relaxed work environment with a lot of hand holding and accolades.
Generation "Z" or the Boomlets are those of us who were born after 2001.
In 2006, there were a record number of births in this country and 49% of them were of Hispanic origin. This fact changes the American melting pot in terms of behavior and culture. The number of births in 2006 far outnumbered the start of the Baby Boom Generation; the Boomlets will easily be a larger generation.
Since the early 1700's...the most common last name in the USA was "Smith". Not anymore; now it is "Rodriguez" (shout out to Kara and Evan!).
There are two age groups right now: Tweens who are between 8-12 years old and represent an estimated 29 million by 2009. Tweens spend $51 each year with an additional $170 billion spent by their parents and family members directly for them.
The next group comprising Boomlets are the Toddlers/Elementary school-aged children. 61% of children beginning at age 8 have television sets in their bedrooms. 35% have video games; 14% have a DVD player, and 4 million will have their own cell phones. Of course, Boomlets have never known a world without cell phones and computers.
Boomlets have eco-fatigue; they are tired of hearing about the environment and the many ways we have to save it. They are KGOY: "Kids Growing Older Younger". Instead of playing with age-appropriate toys...they want electronics such as video games and cell phones. This is also the generation that has instant access to pornography as children through their personal electronics, including cell phones.
Boomlets are savvy consumers in spite of their young age; they know what they want and how to get it. They are oversaturated with brands as a general rule of thumb.
So here you have it; our six living generations. In an age where technology is the new addiction process, we have to wonder what price we will pay in generations to come when today's 10 year old cannot "live" without his or her IPhone. For kids who choose to stay holed up in their rooms (on their electronics!) for more hours during the weekend than you or I (as adults) spend at work each day...what will that do to our collective ability to effectively communicate "live" and "in person" over time? As I know I think about these things, I can easily see how we are creating future generations who know everything---and yet nothing---both at the same time!
Until next time...