March 10, 2008

A Guide to Generations

          Rachelle Vattern, with the ND Center for 4-H Youth Development, recently developed a very thought provoking program on how different generations view life differently.

          Rachelle reminds us that our value and life systems shape who we are as individuals. The era in which we ere born, along with the influences on our lives of our family, friends and community, significantly impact who we are as individuals. People of the same age grouping, experienced similar events as children and were often raised by parents with similar views on parenting.

          Therefore, someone who grew up during the Great Depression with few jobs, little money and little to eat is likely to have different values than someone growing up and coming of age in the 1990’s when the economy was strong and most families were middle class.

          A generation is said to span approximately 20 years. The Builder generation is considered to be those born between 19900-1922. They are often referred to as the “Greatest Generation” because of the hardships they endured during the Depression and war years. The Silents grew up during the Depression and mostly were too young to serve in World War II. They were born between 1923-1944. The Baby Boomers, born between 1945-1963, are the largest single group at 80 million strong. Generation X is the smallest at approximately 45 million. They were born between 1964-1980. The Millennial generation nearly matches in size the Boomers at 76 million. They were born between 1981-2000. And finally, the Post-millennial group began at 2001 and continues today.  See how you do on matching each generation with some of their characteristics.

    A. Builders and Silents    B. Boomers   C. Generation X    D. Millennials

1. Defined by their job

2. Conformity is important

3. Had to learn to fend for themselves

4. Ambitious yet clueless

5.  Entrepreneurial

6. Work ethic equals worth ethic to them

7. Health and wellness is important

8. “Groovy”

9.  Age equal seniority on the job

10. Busy

11. First generation to feel at ease with technology

12. Short (very short) attention span

13. “Totally awesome”

14. No common heroes

15. National pride

16. Suspicious of Boomer values

          A. 2, 3, 9, 15    B. 1, 6, 7, 8,   C. 11, 13, 14, 16   D. 4, 5, 10, 12,