Which Generation Got it Right?

 I have needed to look up the Generational Definitions over the last century, so I hope you will enjoy sharing my research, whatever generation that you are.  

Those born 1928 to 1945 are called the Silent Generation.  I'm wondering whether they are really silent or if nobody cares to listen to them.  It is obvious that marketers don't have any reason to pay attention to them, since if they are alive, they are probably in a nursing home or are trying to get rid of their stuff rather than buying things.

Those born 1946-1964 are the Baby Boomers, born after WW 2 when the soldiers came home and couples were eager to start their families.  The economy was booming, with families needing houses and furniture and cars and cloths.  Now, they share something in common with the Silent Generation, since they too are probably trying to downsize their homes and pass things on to their grown children, who probably do not want it.

Those born 1965-1980 are Generation X, whose parents may have had a high old time, but who grew up in a recession time, causing them to be more cautious with money.  In general, they still like nostalgia and tradition, they have enjoyed technology most of their lives, and they probably enjoy email.

Those born 1977-1995 are Millennials, although they are also called Generation Y. They became the largest generation in history and were the first generation to grow up with modern technology.  They became particularly comfortable with social media, checking with influencer marketing, reviews, and Brands that supported causes.

Those born in 1996-2012 are Generation Z, which might make you think we had run out of alphabetic names, but you would be wrong.  They are particularly familiar with Influencer marketing, reviews, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and other things I don't understand.

Those born 2013 to the Present are Generation Alpha, but if you think that brings you up to date, you will be disappointed.  Because some of the generations were too long and too indefinite to exactly fit the named categories, --whoever these people are who decide these things--, they came up with Microgenerations: the Xennials and the Zillennials. 

Xennials were early Gen Y or late Gen X babies, growing up with technology but without social media during childhood and teen years.  The impact of 9-11 in their teens made them more likely to be skeptical.

 Zilliennials were alive when 9/11 happened, but were too young to really understand.  Perhaps that somehow influenced them to be better at balancing their strong work ethic with their personal lives.

So now that we understand these labels for various age groups, what is the point?  First, marketers want to know how people spend their money and their time.  Second, politicians are interested in knowing how voters think.  Third, educators need to understand the right training for students and what teaching methods work best for preparing them for what is to come. Forth, housing and population growth are impacted by things like at what ages people marry, or choose not to marry, or prefer to live with their parents longer.  Fifth, decision about having children, and how that impacts social planning. Sixth, how people interact with one another-- using social media or personal meetings require adjustments. Seventh, all of these choices impact social behavior, addictions, privacy, confrontations and ridicule, cyber bullying, and mental health that will need modifications and assistance.

Our world is changing, and if we want to keep up with it, we are forced to at least try to understand a  bit of how others see the world.  What is important is that whether you are a member of the Silent Generation or Generation A, we all need to look around and recognize that whatever generation we are, we can learn from the past and the present generations.  No single generation ever got everything right or everything wrong.