Generation – Two Different Meanings Not to Be Confused

We traditionally associate the word generation with family structure. For example, grandparents, parents, and children are three generations. The Canadian Oxford Dictionary defines generation with this meaning as “the average time in which children are ready to take the place of their parents (usu. reckoned at about 30 years).” 

So, based on that definition, imagine my surprise to read that people from seven generations are still living today. Impossible! That would include up to 210 years. I have only seen pictures of four generations together, which was the case in my family.

The New Meaning of Generation

Sometime in the twentieth century, someone decided on a new generation definition. Until then, culture and society changed slowly, so no specific generation distinction seemed relevant or necessary. The Canadian Oxford Dictionary defines generation with this meaning as “the individuals born at about the same time, with a specified common characteristic, attitude, etc.”

The following chart lists the seven generations with members living today. Remember, referring to the chart, the names and years of birth applied to each generation are somewhat arbitrary, and there is no universal agreement on these designations. The chart is just a general guideline.

Name	Years of Birth	Age in 2024	# of Years
Greatest Generation	1901-1927	100-123	24
Silent Generation	1928-1945	79-99	21
Baby Boomers	1946-1964	60-78	19
Gen X	1965-1980	44-59	16
Millennials	1981-1996	28-43	16
Gen Z	1997-2012	12-27	16
Generation Alpha	2013-2025	(-1)-11	13

So what makes these seven groups identified as generations different from each other? There are many differences.

Generation Gap

Differences exist between and among generations. Many seemingly unrelated things contribute to these differences. Individuals change throughout their life cycles. Parents are the primary influencers in early youth. However, parents’ influence is gradually diminished and replaced by that of friends and teachers as the children begin and go through school. Always a work in process, young adults eventually become a product of their respective generations, influenced by the world around them.

These influences include but are not limited to parental styles of the day, the education system, access to jobs, the regional economy, the political environment, technology, entertainment, and significant world events. I write this essay through the eyes of North American culture, specifically Canadian culture. Please remember that what follows is very general, as each person has their own personality.

Greatest Generation

The Greatest Generation is also known as the GI Generation and the World War II Generation. The reason for these other names is apparent. World War II significantly influenced their lives and lifestyles. Young and older men went to war, leaving the women home with the children. For that time, at least, almost all families were single-parent households.

Although World War II was the most significant event to mould these times, other societal issues tested the people’s resilience. From 1918 to 1920, the Great Influenza Epidemic, commonly called the Spanish Flu, swept the world. It affected about 500 million people or about one-third of the world’s population. Estimates of the number of deaths due to the epidemic vary; the most recent estimate suggests about 17 million worldwide.

The 1929 Stock Market Crash and the subsequent Great Depression of the 1930s made life difficult for everyone. Jobs and food were scarce. Families got by, but many just barely.

However, there were some good times. Radio became a staple in almost every household. Families would gather together to listen to weekly dramas or comedies. It was also the Golden Age of Hollywood. Most of the famous actors and actresses of the time are long gone but not forgotten. Jazz, the blues, gospel, folk, and swing jazz all became popular during this era.

Due to their experiences, people from those times value patriotism, strong work ethics, modesty, frugality, and respect.

Silent Generation

Also known as the Traditionalist Generation, it has comparatively few people. Due to the effects of the Great Depression and World War II, there were fewer births. It was the age of “Respect your elders.” and “Children should be seen but not heard.” However, that attitude did not last.

It was also a time of the beginnings of civil unrest. It began the civil rights movement, especially in the United States. People across North America wanted equal rights, and they would get them one way or another.

Rock ‘n’ Roll began and continued through the 1950s and 60s. The history of Rock ‘n’ Roll is exciting and probably best for a future essay. But, the legend began at that time.

The people of this era also went through tough times financially. As young adults, they had financial freedom, some financial difficulties in middle age, and a comfortable living in later life.

Members of the Silent Generation carried on some of the qualities of the previous generation. They have strong work ethics and loyalty to their employers because they value stability and security. It was a time to follow society’s expectations and avoid conflict and controversy.

Baby Boomers

Okay, guys, this is me! It will be interesting to see if I fit the mould of what people think the people of this generation are like.

Baby Boomers are also known as just “Boomers”. What is the meaning of the word boomers in this context? After World War II, there was a boom in the birth rate. Baby Boomers are the largest generation by far. Due to the large numbers and reasonable prosperity during our lifetimes, we are the most financially influential group. Therefore, advertisers address significant advertising at us and our influence. We are the generation of material goods. “He who dies with the most toys is the winner at the game of life.” Quite the philosophy, eh?

The on-again-off-again political instability throughout the world has influenced the ideals and ethics of Boomers. Although this applies mainly to the United States, all of North America saw the effects of the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War with the Soviet Union and its allies. We were also amazed at China’s one-child policy and the repercussions that it would have on that country for decades to come.

As a result of the world around us, we became goal-centric, competitive workaholics. This attitude was to take our minds off of a very troubled world. However, we remained optimistic, expecting or hoping that the world would become a better place, and we’re still optimistic.

Gen X

Parents of Gen X children forced the children to become more independent, whether by intent or circumstance. Societal values were changing, and both father and mother were often involved in their careers, leaving the children to fend for themselves after school.
This situation profoundly affected the children as they became young adults. Unlike their parents, who “lived to work”, young Gex X adults decided that “work to live” represented their philosophy of life.

They wanted and needed independence, which unfortunately resulted in a higher divorce rate. They were their own people and were uncomfortable being restricted or defined by society. As the MTV Generation. music and other entertainment, including video games, were important to them. Movies of the day portrayed them as cynical slackers, which, to some extent, was true.

They were entrepreneurial and productive but resistant to authority. They understood the importance of education, and many became well-educated and successful. Successful is a subjective term. In this case, it means successful on their own terms. As a general rule, they have received what they wanted from life.

Millennials

Millennials are also known as Generation Y or Gen Y. They are the first to grow up with the Internet, and they love technology. For Millenials, technology has the answer to everything. It may not be the correct answer because humanity has yet to be considered, but it is an answer. Due to this attitude, they don’t perform their best in the traditional work environment. They prefer to work from home on something they enjoy.

Millennials tend to wear their hearts on their sleeves. They are transparent and seem willing to share everything. For them, commerce and conscience go together. Ethical or sustainable investing became a thing because of concern for the environment worldwide. Millennials want to make a positive impact on their world.

Unfortunately, economic growth has been slow for them, and student debt and expensive childcare costs have been financial burdens. However, they have replaced traditional marriage with living together and have had fewer children. They are less religious but more spiritual because the concept of organized religion is fading in Western culture for many reasons.

Popular music for Millennials has moved away from the effects of traditional Rock ‘n’ Roll. Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Backstreet Boys, Michael Jackson, Drake, and Eminem are famous musical artists of the time.

Gen Z

Gen Z are also known as Zoomers. They seem to live life at a slower pace. Perhaps this is because technology has made life easier for those who understand and use it. They are more aware of the pressures and dangers of life. Teenage pregnancies are down, as is alcohol consumption, but drug use has continued.

While Gen Z members are individualistic, they are sensitive and respectful of others. They accept the differences in others much more readily than previous generations.

One sad reality for Gen Z is that they are more likely to be diagnosed with more allergies, intellectual disabilities, psychiatric disorders, and attention span problems. With technology dependence comes other issues that may not be fully understood or appreciated yet.

Generation Alpha

I don’t want to say too much about Alphas because the oldest is only 11 years old. Their development has barely begun. They are the first generation with all members born in the 21st century. Their biggest challenge so far is exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic as children.

They are tech-savvy, which has benefits and liabilities. One benefit is they, even at this young age, can help their parents with technical issues, especially with computers. However, one liability is caused by too much screen time, resulting in isolation, as well as health issues such as allergies and obesity.

Generation Alpha has a lot of life ahead of them and a lot of maturing to do. It will be interesting to see how they turn out.

And Now For Your Listening Enjoyment

Here is the song that is probably most representative of my generation, Baby Boomers. We were always hoping for the best but somehow expecting the worst. The song has received criticism from various religions as being blasphemous for suggesting a world with no religion, but listen to the song’s intent in its entirety. Here is John Lennon’s Imagine.

Lyrics

"Imagine"
Recorded by John Lennon
Written by John Lennon

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No Hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Ah, ah, ah-ah

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
Yoo-hoo, ooh-ooh

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
Yoo-hoo, ooh-ooh

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

The above essay is for entertainment and English language study only. For suggestions on how to use this post to improve your English reading and listening comprehension, click here.

Vocabulary

• distinction – noun; something that differentiates; importance difference
• arbitrary – adjective; not according to a scheme or plan; for no special reason
• designations – noun, pl; name, description, or title; title (in this context)
• influencers – noun, pl; a person who has an effect on another; someone who another imitates
• diminished – adjective; reduced; made smaller or less; less
• respective – adjective; concerning or appropriate to each of several individually; to each one separately
• mould – transitive verb; influence the formation or development of; influence a group of people (in this context)
• resilience – noun; recovery from shock, depression, etc.; ability to adjust to bad situations
• frugality – noun; (of things, esp. food) plain, simple, or provided in small quantity and with avoidance of excess; a simple life
• stability – noun; the quality or state of being stable; comfortable with your life, especially job and finances
• controversy – noun; a prolonged argument or dispute, esp. when conducted publicly and over a matter of opinion; a disagreement
• mould – noun; a usual or expected type of something; that which is expected (in this context)
• prosperity – noun; the state of being prosperous; wealth or success; more than comfortable financially
• profoundly – adverb; deep, intense, unqualified; greatly
• cynical – adjective; (of behaviour etc.) disregarding normal standards; rude and obnoxious
• slackers – noun, pl; (esp. young) people who find themselves without direction in life; people with little motivation to improve themselves
• entrepreneurial – adjective; starting a commercial enterprise involving financial risk; the vision or goal of having one’s own business
• sustainable – adjective; that conserves an ecological balance by avoiding depletion of natural resources; investments that don’t destroy the environment (in this context)
• blasphemous – adjective; speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things; denying God or religion

Comprehension Questions

1. About how many years is a generation in the traditional meaning of the word?
   (a) 10 years, (b) 20 years, (c) 30 years, or (d) 40 years
2. How many generations are still living in your family?
3. From how many generations are people still living today?
   (a) 5, (b) 7, (c) 9, or (d) 11
4. Who are the biggest influence on children before they begin school?
5. During what generation did the radio become a staple in almost every household?
   (a) the Greatest Generation, (b) the Silent Generation, (c) Gen Z, or (d) Generation Alpha
6. Which generation was the greatest generation?
   (a) the Greatest Generation, (b) the Silent Generation, (c) Gen Z, or (d) Generation Alpha
7. To which generation does the writer of this essay belong?
   (a) the Silent Generation, (b) Baby Boomers, (c) Gen X, or (d) Millenials
8. To what generation do you belong, according to the chart above?

Answers

Resources

• Wikipedia
• Wikipedia – Generation Gap