Let’s talk about social generations, shall we? What comes to your mind when you hear the word “generation”?
Do you hear generations when it comes to family? Generation-Z? Or does an image pop up in your head? Maybe an old woman scowling, “You people of this generation… What are you doing with your life?”
I don’t know about you, but it’s all of that for me.
We are lucky to be born in a world where there are so many people; of different genders, tribes, social and economic classes, and generations. The baby boomers, Generation X, the Millennials and so much more. It’s the diversity that makes the world so interesting.
Definition of Generations
In 1863, Paul-Émile Littré, a French lexicographer defined a generation as, ”all people coexisting in society at a given time”. A generation refers to all of the people born and living at the same time.
We’re not talking about family generation here where a group of living individuals constitutes a single step in the line of descent or a lineage. We’re talking about social generations. It can also be known as biogenesis reproduction.
A social calendar constitutes people born in the same data range and who share a similar cultural experience. These people share similar life and cultural experiences that belong to a particular year or period.
We are aware of the popular types of social generations as Boomers, Millennials, and Gen-Z, but we fail to forget that there were other generations before these mentioned.
Let’s start from the beginning, shall we?
List of Social Generations
The Greatest Generation (GI Generation, 1901 – 1924)
Yes, these are the old folks! Just kidding. These are the people who lived through the Great Depression and went off to fight in the Second World War. They are the OGs.
Additionally, these people, particularly those born in the year 1920, experienced deadly diseases along with the war, like the infamous Spanish flu pandemic. This was also an age where there were technological innovations – the radio, and the telephone we love so much were created during this period.
One of the great characteristics of these people includes humility. The great depression fostered modesty and humility, especially during the period of scarcity. Saving was also important during this period because it helped them to survive during times of shortage.
READ ALSO:
The Silent Generation (1928 – 1945)
Wait oh, so the people born between the ages of 1924-1928, what are they? The GI or the silent generation?
Well, they belong to both!
Anyways, the silent generation is the traditionalist generation. The term “silent generation” actually came from a time when a similar set of people were quiet and presented no opposition as we do right now.
They got their name for being silent and conformist through the McCarthy era. The oldest member of this generation was born at the beginning of the Great Depression. This generation also had parents who faced economic hardships due to the war and taught their children not to be seen or heard.
SEE: Gen Z in the Workplace: How to Handle Them
Hence, the name.
I know what you may be thinking; these people took a lot of “problems” without speaking against them. Wouldn’t it have affected them? Well, despite their conformist attitude, they had great character traits like respect, loyalty and determination. They experienced a lot of challenges but faced them with strength and determination. If you know anyone born in this generation, salute them!
These people helped to shape 20th-century pop culture with great musicians, filmmakers, journalists and so much more!
Baby Boomers (1946 – 1964)
Yes, the famous boomers! These are the old men and women we like to call “old”. The out-of-style uncle that comes in with suspenders or that aunt that says you need to cater so much for your husband. Yes, these are our parents!
The people born of this generation are children of those born during the first and second generations. We call them the boomers! But don’t be fooled by their old wrinkled innocent faces, these people have the wildest past!
All the things they speak against are everything that they did during their time. Sneaking out to the club? Going to meet their significant other under the Mango tree? They did all those things, and then some.
Baby boomers are particularly the largest generation before the millennials. They are independent, goal-oriented, and highly educative. Na dem know pass!
Generation X (1965 – 1980)
Most members of this generation were children of the silent generation and early boomers. These people also lived through the AIDS epidemic, and some say that this is when LGBTQ rights started gaining popularity.
Two things about them – they tend to have liberal views on social issues and are also ethnically diverse on social issues. And oh yes; they are fiercely independent.
Millennials (1980 – 1996)
This social generation follows Generation X and they are also called Generation Y. They lived through the infamous 9/11 incident and are usually seen as self-centered and entitled.
You will notice that millennial parents are laid back and more fun, unlike certain others (whispers boomers). They allow their children freedom and are also open-minded. Let’s be honest, the kind of people from this generation would have made the best parents for the Gen-Z people, because they are almost the same.
Pity they turned out to be rivals.
Now, the last one!
SEE: How Long is a Century, Decade, and Millenium
Generation Z aka Gen Z (1996 – the Early 2010s)
They are the youngsters and practically rule the world! The Great Zoomers!
Aside from the Baby Boomers, Gen Z are the most racially and ethnically diverse of the social generations. This is the generation where social media, or rather digitalization boomed. They are the masters of the digital age.
Gen Z was born into a world of peak technological innovation — where information was immediately accessible and social media increasingly ubiquitous. They have also taken up social issues – healthcare, mental health, higher education, race equity, and relationships and focused on speaking openly about them.
Here is how to know someone who belongs to the Gen-Z generation.
- Attitude: To put it succinctly, Gen-Z do not care. They no dey send. They showcase their attitude through their language, tone, and most importantly dressing! And if you step anyhow, you go collect wotowoto.
- They love justice: You cannot cheat them because they will speak against it. Do you recall the EndSars protest of 2020? How so many youths decided that their voices were going to be heard and their demands were going to be met? One thing about these guys, they will make sure that they get their way.
- You cannot stress them: Everyone knows that people who belong to Gen Z are particular about their peace, except when their blood is up. They love their peace and will get out at the slightest sniff of inconvenience. Stress is anathema to them.
- They invest: Yes, they may spend their money on ridiculous things, but they are also particular about saving. Watching older generations go through a lot of things and struggle with debt has thought them that they don’t want such a fate. According to Investopedia, many gen-Z adults are already invested in the stock market.
- Their slangs slap!: If you don’t understand that “slap” and you think it’s literal, then you’re quite old! Slap means that it makes sense. If they also tell you that you look like a snack, it means you look really good, since snacks also… well, look really good for eating. These are just some of the many slangs that Gen Z use.
SEE: Gen Z vs Millennials: Battle of the Generations
Generation Alpha (Early 2010s – Present)
Named after the first letter in the Greek Alphabet, Generation Alpha are the babies of the house. The latest of the social generations. They are the kids of the Millennials, the newest children and the first to be born entirely in the 21st century.
Generation Alpha are the youngest people alive today. While there is no general consensus on their birth years, their oldest members would have been born around 2012. Sources suggest that the final members of this generation will be born in the mid-2020s, especially around 2025.
And if you think the Gen Z use technology too much, just wait till the Generation Alpha grow up. These people have never known a time without phones, and technology is advancing every day.
SEE: Meet The Millennials
Social Generations: A Wrap
So, if you didn’t know the social generations before, now you do. Which one do you belong to? Did we get your characteristics right? Leave your comments in the section below.
