The 4 human generations that coexist today are Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials and Generation Z. Although there are general lines to distinguish them temporarily, there may be small differences in each country.
For example, the population boom that gave rise to the first named generation was earlier in the United States than in Europe.
In the field of sociology, the term generation is defined as that set of people born in close dates and who, due to cultural changes, present some common and differentiated behaviors from other generations.
Normally, a period of 25-30 years is established for the change of generation, although this is not a fixed rule.
The four human generations today
Although behavioral generalizations are always problematic, since they leave part of the population out, sociologists have established a number of common traits in human generations.
In addition to the four that are pointed out, one could also target the generation before the Baby Boomers, which, by age, still has many living representatives.
It is the so-called Silent Generation, born between 1925 and 1945. It is about those born after the First World War or during the Second World War and who lived through the Cold War.
one-
Its name comes from the high birth rate that occurred in the United States and Great Britain during those years. In other countries the dates vary a bit, but the characteristics that are given are maintained.
They lived through the years of the Cold War, but also those of the appearance of many inventions such as television or the electric washing machine. Likewise, they were protagonists of the expansion of civil rights in many fields.
At first they were characterized as a fairly idealistic generation, although over the years they have been blamed for having become more conservative and become a stopper for subsequent generations.
two-
They were born with fewer financial problems than their parents, although they encountered enormous problems in accessing the job market due to being overwhelmed by the previous generation.
They were able to access education in a more generalized way and with a higher quality than those who lived before, although many saw how these degrees were not reflected later in their jobs.
For this reason, they have always been considered an almost lost generation, trying to find their place in the world.
The fall of the Berlin Wall, the great growth of consumerism and the appearance of new technologies also marked the profile of this generation.
3-
Those born around the turn of the millennium are also known to some sociologists as Generation Peter Pan.
This is because one of the characteristics that they attribute to them is a propensity to avoid reaching the responsibilities of adulthood, living an eternal adolescence.
They have already lived immersed in the society of new technologies, being the first digital natives. This has led them to interact a lot online and has left face-to-face relationships more aside than previous generations.
They have been greatly affected by the economic crisis and, despite the fact that many have gone to university, the economic situation is bad for them. That has caused them to continue living in their parents' house until they are older.
4-
They are the current children and adolescents. They live immersed in the digital universe, which has caused changes in many behaviors and customs. They are blamed for being quite selfish and wanting everything immediately.
It is still too early to know the effects of new technologies on them, but some experts point out that they have a certain attention deficit, accustomed to the rhythm of YouTube or Google.
In addition, certain sociologists accuse them of prioritizing the appearance and visibility of "likes" over deeper thoughts and relationships.
On the positive side, it is one of the most tolerant generations in history, with almost total freedom of behavior.
References
- Pappatheodorou, Dionysia. Four generations. Retrieved from mx.unoi.com
- Molano, Adriana. Digital generations: between times and technologies. Obtained from colombiadigital.net
- Grimes, Gerlinda. How Generation X Works. Retrieved from people.howstuffworks.com
- Main, Douglas. Who Are the Millennials ?. Retrieved from livescience.com
- Kleinschmit, Matt. Generation Z characteristics: 5 infographics on the Gen Z lifestyle. Retrieved from visioncritical.com