“All of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively” is the definition in Wikipedia for the word Generation. It can also be described as “the average period, generally considered to be about 20-30 years, during which children are born and grow up, become adults, and begin to have children.” It is also used as a cohort group in the social sciences where it means “people within a delineated population who experience the same significant events within a given period of time.” How do we know where we are in the generational hierarchy?
According to Michael T Robinson, Founder and Career Coach, Career Planning.com, there are two different methods for marking the borders between the generations. The US Census Bureau uses their own census data and the birth rate to determine where generations begin and end. Pew Research, a major generational researcher, uses major cultural events to define the borders between the generations. Their definition focusing on how cultural happenings shape a person’s thinking may be less precise, but has been a useful tool in culturally grouping Americans by age. If your birthdate falls right on the cusp, Mr. Robinson suggests that you pick the generation that you relate to the most.
The Career Planner list of Generation Names with beginning and ending years and cultural events and characteristics based on the Pew definition is as follows:
Birthdate Years
The Lost Generation 1891-1915
The Interbellum Generation 1901-1913
The Greatest Generation 1910-1924
The Silent Generation 1925-1945
Baby Boomer Generation 1946-1964
Generation X (Baby Bust) 1965-1979
Xennials 1975-1985
Millennials/Gen Y/Gen Next 1980-1994
iGen/Gen Z 1995-2012
Gen Alpha 2013-2025
THE GREATEST GENERATION – BORN BETWEEN 1920 & 1924
Named by Tom Brokaw because they fought for what was right – not for selfish reasons
Grew up in the Depression
Many fought in WWII or in war efforts on the home front – GI Joe Generation
Experienced rapid technological innovation (radio and telephone)
THE SILENT GENERATION – BORN BETWEEN 1925 & 1945
23 million Silents in US in 2019
About working hard within the system
Never rose in organized protest
Youngest of American generations to marry and have families
Thrifty and wanted their money’s worth
Not risk takers
BABY BOOMERS – BORN BETWEEN 1946 & 1964
71.6 million Boomers in US in 2019
The huge population increase that followed WWII
Grew up during prosperity
Famous for spending what they earned differing from their parents
Experienced Cold War with fears of Russian nuclear attack with bomb shelters
Lived through assassinations of President Kennedy and Martin Luther King
Saw beginnings of movements for Civil Rights and Environmental Protection
Moon landing and unparalleled national optimism and prosperity
GEN X – BORN BETWEEN 1965 & 1979
65.2 million Gen Xers in US as if 2019
Highest level of education in the US to date
Fall of the Berlin Wall and splitting of the Soviet Union
Rising divorce rates
Influx of women into the workforce – latchkey kids
MTV and the rise of disco
Tragedy of Tiananmen Square
XENNIALS – BORN ROUGHLY BETWEEN 1975 & 1985
Crossover generation – oldest of the Millennials – more like Gen X that Millennials
Dated and formed relationships pre-social media
GEN Y: THE MILLENINIALS – BORN BETWEEN 1980 & 1994
Almost every US home had an internet connection and a computer
Largest economic decline since the depression in 2008
Terrorist attack on the World Trade Center & the Pentagon
Global warming becoming obvious
Explosive growth in online companies like Google & Facebook
Gun violence becomes a major issue
GEN/GEN Z – BORN BETWEEN 1995 & 2012
More tolerant of others of different cultures, sexual orientations and races
More likely to use Instagram or Facebook than see a movie
Less risk taking and more cautious
Tend to think for themselves not always believing authority figures in church or government
Fewer teen pregnancies and run-aways
Less in person contact with others due to online connections
Less experience with teen jobs and earning money in high school
Delays in driving with fewer teen driving accidents
I and many of my friends are members of the Silent Generation. We were largely born toward the end of the group which ranges from ranges from 1929 – 1945. NBC News on November 20 2020 focused on a study done by NBC Health that showed an increase in anxiety and depression across all generations since the pandemic began; however, there was considerable difference in degree. Fifty-six percent of those in Generation Z report being “concerned or extremely concerned” with their own mental health, compared to 58 percent of millennials, 51 percent of Gen X and 33 percent of baby boomers. The Silent Generation’s anxiety level fell to 23 percent.
Another study conducted by Edward Jones and Age Wave, found that 39 percent of the Silent Generation reported handling the pandemic “very well” with only 5 percent reporting that they are not handling it well at all.
A NRC Study says the Silent Generation has been the generation most physically in danger from the current pandemic, but it is also the one with the most extended history of navigating adversity. Those born during the early years were born close to the Great Depression and many came of age when the US was actively involved in World War II and the Korean War. I was born two years before the end of WWII but my parents had lived during this turbulent time in our country and their values had definitely been shaped by it. Our cohort was fairly small because families were fearful of taking on the expense of children during this also economically challenging time. According to the study’s author, Megan Gerhardt,Ph.D, Professor of Leadership and Management at Miami University, the fragility of the world after multiple wars and economic uncertainty contributed to the Silent Generation’s disinterest in rocking the boat or upsetting the status quo. They instead focused on keeping their heads down while working to build secure lives for their families.
The NBC News report said that at a time in our lives when we should be enjoying retirement including family visits, attending the theater and dining out and travel, we had to isolate ourselves to avoid COVID-19 exposure. But as might be expected, complaints from the Silent Generation have been considerably less than from other generational groups. They point out that other generations could learn from us how to carry on and support one another. A recent meme proclaimed,”Your grandparents were called to war. You’re being called to sit on your couch. You can do this.”
I believe our seniors including many members of the Silent Generation have worked together to support each other during this very trying period with very little time spent on feeling sorry for ourselves. The most recent example has been the widespread effort to assist others in navigating our sometimes tricky vaccine registration websites. I am very proud to be a member of this hard-working group that once again has stepped up to deal with one of life’s unexpected trials.