Understanding Todays Generations Who makes up the different
- Slides: 9
Understanding Today’s Generations
Who makes up the different generations? Lost Generation: born about 1883 -1900 n (Interbellum Generation): 1900 -1910 n Greatest Generation: 1911 -1924 n Silent Generation: 1925 -1945 n Baby Boom: 1946 -1964 n Generation X: 1965 -1983 n Whatever you are: 1984 -? n (these are rough markers only—some researchers disagree on these periods)
But there are subsets, too. . . MTV Generation (about 1975 -1985)—this is a subset of Gen X, for example n MTV Generation is characterized as skeptical, tech-savvy, immune to sales pitches n And the MTV Generation is divided further into the Doom Generation—yes, after the video game—the kids (like me) who grew up in the 1990 s n
Generational Markers: A Sampling Greatest Generation Baby Boom Generation X Great Depression Electrification World War II Cold War Civil Rights War on Poverty Race to Space Assassinations Vietnam Impeachment AIDS Video Games Homelessness Berlin Wall Technology Diverse Latchkey Kids Downsizing
Characteristics of Generations Values Lifestyle Social Greatest Patriotic Loyal Prudent I like it It’s okay Quality first Buy American Baby Boom Idealistic Competitive Revolutionary Skeptical Resourceful Independent Should I really like it? Will others? Prestige first Foreign is better Gen X I like it, I don’t Cheap: value care what you added (Supersize Me) think
Characteristics of Generations On Relationships On Balance On Community Greatest Personal Sacrifice Don’t quite get it Must join the Rotary Baby Boom Personal Gratification Rotary is a bore Gen X Reluctant to Commit Balance is important, but difficult Want balance now What is the Rotary and who cares?
Characteristics of Generations On Religion On Exercise Greatest I care about religion Exercise is an Buy a decent option home Baby Boom Religion is a hobby Exercise is a duty Gen X What is religion? Exercise is for mental health On Homes Buy the most house you can Reclaim the inner city
Characteristics of Generations Value in Organization View of Leadership View of Authority Greatest Loyalty, Similarities, Relationships By Hierarchy Respectful Baby Boom Profitability, reputations, “Sink or Swim” Stimulation, Balance, Feedback By Consensus Love/Hate Gen X By Unimpressed, Competence Unintimidated
Characteristics of Generations Greatest Work Ethic Work hard, save money, what is play? Baby Boom Work hard, play hard, worry about money Gen X Work hard if it doesn’t interfere with play, save money
