In which generation do you fall?
A generation is a group of people born around the same time and raised around the same place. People in this “birth cohort” exhibit similar characteristics, preferences, and values over their lifetimes.
There are big differences between the generations and it’s important to know the years when each generation begins and ends. We specialize in the relationship between geography and generations. Millennials, for example, are the most consistent generation globally. However, we still see important differences between Millennials raised in an urban environment versus those raised in the rural setup.
Currently, five generations make up our society. Each of those five generations has an active role in the marketplace.
- Gen Z, iGen, or Centennials: Born 1996 – TBD
But what is Generation Z? It is a group of people that is marked by the Internet. They have easy access to the internet and have it in their homes, their education and their way of socializing. And if Generation Y has difficulty finding a job, the situation for post-millennials is even worse.
Their mastery of technologies may make them neglect their interpersonal relationships to a greater extent, but they are the ones who give more of a voice to social causes on the Internet.
They like to get everything they want immediately, a fact fostered by the digital world in which they are immersed, and their lifestyle is also influenced by YouTubers.
They multi-task, but their attention span is limited. They are independent and demanding consumers and will have jobs that do not exist in today’s world.
- Millennials or Gen Y: Born 1982 – 1995
Millennials are those born between 1982 and 1995 and technology is part of their everyday lives: all their activities are mediated by a screen. The concept of on and off is completely integrated into their lives. However, they were not born into it; they migrated to the digital world from the analogue one in which they were living.
Unlike previous generations, because of the economic crisis, the world requires them to be better trained to get a job, as competition is increasing. Unlike their parents, Generation X, digital natives are not satisfied with the world around them and are ambitious and want to achieve their goals.
However, the millennial generation is labelled as being lazy, narcissistic and spoilt.
- Generation X: Born 1965 – 1981
They are lodged in between the two big well-known generations, the Baby Boomers and the Millennials. Unlike the Baby Boomer generation, Generation X is focused more on work-life balance.
Dubbed by media as “latch-key kids,” Gen Xers are considered the first “daycare” generation because many were raised by two parents who worked or by a single divorced parent. This generation delayed marriage and childbearing to focus on developing themselves first.
- Baby Boomers: Born 1946 – 1964
The term “Baby Boomer” was derived due to the dramatic increase in birth rates following World War II; soldiers came home from the war and had more time to spend creating babies, resulting in a population increase.
This generation values relationships, as they did not grow up with technology running their lives. Baby Boomers grew up making phone calls and writing letters, solidifying strong interpersonal skills. Yet as they got older, they became fluent in technology and now use cell phones and tablets. The difference is they use these technologies as productivity tools as opposed to connectivity, an idea that came from the Millennial generation.
- Traditionalists or Silent Generation: Born 1945 and before
Raised by parents that just survived the Great Depression. Experienced hard times while growing up which were followed by times of prosperity.
Traditionalists tend to adhere to rules, trust in the government and are much disciplined. In this generation, if they were to meet the millennial, they would term them as rude people who lack values.
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