From the Greatest Generation to the Generation Alpha, experts offer an understanding of the chronological spectrum of generations through time with name and year. They also offer insight into the personalities and characteristics that define each generation in their respective era.
Technically talking, a generation refers to all of the people born and living at about the same time collectively. It can also be described as, "the average period, generally considered to be about 15–30 years, during which children are born and grow up, become adults, and start their next generation."
This is how our species continues, but mapping through people's mind and their qualitative traits, generation is far more a metaphor of cumulative tastes of people, their style, mindset and how they carry themselves. A generation always carries the imprints of the past and emerges as something different than the previous time and carries the newness of the current.
A generation is always the reflection or response to new ideas and practices that births through time and finds their peak in certain duration. Below you'll know more about the changing dynamics of generations in the tapestry of time.
Timelines…
Greatest Generation: Born 1901-1927
Silent Generation: Born 1928-1945
Baby Boomers: Born 1946-1964
Generation X: Born 1965-1980
Millennials - Gen Y : Born 1981-1996
Generation Z: Born 1997-2010
Generation Alpha: Born 2011-2025.
The Greatest Generation (GI Generation): Born between 1901–1927
This generation is generally defined by people born from 1901 to 1924 and lived through the Great Depression and then found themselves caught in World War II and its consequences. This generation has seen through many downs of the changing society . They were shaked by the Great Depression and were the primary generation who enlisted the forces in World War II.
The Silent Generation: Born 1928–1945
The silent generation gained a reputation for being so traditional that they remained silent all through the period of rising communism and terror. Kids were taught to have a strong work ethic and earn their living.
Baby Boom Generation: Born 1946–1964
Gen Z may think of Baby Boomers as their outdated grandparents, but they had a wild youth we often don't talk about. Boomers are so named after their parents came home from WWII, and the American population exploded. Baby Boomers created the social phenomenon "Summer of Love", challenged the life and teachings of their parents and protested the Vietnam War. They had their own thought process and lived their life free of societal obligations.
Generation X: Born 1965–1980
Gen X, also known as the easygoing generation, witnessed the epidemic of AIDS, MTV culture, and a changing social environment that would finally lead to the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights. As opposed to their Boomer parents, who were known for letting their children play outside until sunset, Gen X parents preferred to be much more engaged in their children's social and academic growth. This generation took lessons from the past age and grew through the emotional void of absent parents in their daily lives.
Millennial Generation or Generation Y: Born 1981–1996
Millennials lived through 9/11, a time when Amazon only sold books, and are also the first generation to know a childhood both with and without the internet, which now plays a significant role in their personal lives.
As the first generation to grow up with the Internet, Millennials have also been described as the first global generation. The era is marked by increased usage of and familiarity with the Internet, mobile devices, and social media.
Generation Z or iGen: Born 1997–2010
The children of Generation Z are the first to be born into a world in which social media, smartphones, and tablets are their only means of continuous communication, even if this generation is entirely of "youngsters" who aren't old enough to have left their imprint as a generation yet. This generation is being taught to build a connection with nature and see a world outside of media and mobile.
Generation Alpha: Born After 2010
Children born after 2010 are categorized as Generation Alpha in 2019. They are the first generation of children to grow up without ever having seen social media; Generation Alpha is far more tech-savvy than any other generation. Technology is a powerful tool that has the potential to benefit humanity in a wide range of ways, so this generation has the power to make the best use of knowledge and information.
This generation is making way for the rise of the 'One-and-Done' Family. The phrase was coined to describe parents who have decided that they are fulfilled with having an only child. Terming Gen Alpha as "One -and-Done" may be too soon based on how little we know about them so far.
Another observation about this generation is that Generation Alpha was born during a period when birth rates were declining globally and yet overcoming the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic as young children.
This era also witnessed a decline in the viewership of traditional television, and children's entertainment has shifted towards electronic devices, social media, and streaming platforms for the privileged few. The way this generation has experienced early learning has changed significantly from previous generations due to changes in their use of technology in schools and other aspects of life.
Gen X and Millennials are two generations that have seen all sorts of change—technological, societal, psychological, and cultural—and they can boldly declare that "With Me, The World Changed"!
It is said that knowing history is an essential step forward in becoming a better society, and that every generation has its unique traits. So, it is inevitable that the boundaries between generations can be bridged with empathy, compassion, and an open mind. It requires polite conversation, careful listening, and understanding the importance of different perspectives.
Together, we may bridge the gap and build a more inclusive and harmonious society by encouraging inter-generational communication and valuing the strengths of each age.