TIPS, IDEAS & SUGGESTIONS FOR LEARNING GENERATIONAL VALUES OF GRANDPARENTS & PARENTS
What are Generational Values?
We all have generational values that are important to us. As a late baby boomer, and an early Gen X’er, my generational values are different than my older siblings, and my children, who are all millennials.
But I have noticed that the younger generations, both millennials and Gen Z, disregard many of the older generational values of their parents and their grandparents. And, great-grandparents.
With generations living longer, today’s population has seven generations living and sometimes working together. Therefore, understanding the various generational values is important for all of us to acknowledge.
How Many Living Generations Are Part of Today’s Population?
Over the last several decades, a focus has been on healthy living and self-care.
Additionally, with the improvement of medical advancements and healthcare, people are living longer than they ever have in history.
Today’s living generations include seven groups of people. Those generations labeled through American history are:
Greatest Generation: Born between 1901-1924
The people from the Greatest Generation fought in World War II and lived through the Great Depression.
This generation of individuals believed in the American Dream and fought for their country and communities.
The Greatest Generational Values were respect for authority and the overall sense of responsibility to support their country.
Most individuals from the Greatest Generation lived their lives with the same generational values they established in their youth.
Silent Generation: Traditionalists: Born between 1925-1945
Those from the Silent Generation were hard workers and extremely thrifty. Some in this generation grew up during the Great Depression and understood the importance of being financially prudent.
These loyal employees typically worked for the same company for many years. Their generational values included resilience and family traditions.
The Silent Generation lived through World War II and the Korean War and highly valued respect for authority throughout their lives.
Those in the Silent Generation did not argue or protest regarding their responsibilities to fight wars and work hard for their country.
They were considered to be “silent” because they did not stand up against social issues or governmental policies.
Baby Boomers: Born between 1946-1964
Baby Boomers were named due to the increase in births that occurred after World War II.
The generational values of Baby Boomers became focused on their own personal happiness. Boomers were considered to be more self-centered than previous generations. They were often called the “me” generation.
Baby Boomers were instrumental in bringing about social change with the civil rights and the feminist movements.
Boomers fought for equality and fought against the country’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Baby Boomers protested for peace and social justice in government decisions.
This generation introduced various music styles, such as Rhythm and Blues, R&B, Rock and Roll, and Hip Hop. Styles and dances were eccentric and “free love” was part of the peace, love and rock and roll movement.
It is important to note, that Boomers are an essential part of today’s technology. Their generation was responsible for developing many of the technological advances in modern use.
Generation X, Gen X: Born between 1965-1980
Following in the Baby Boomers footsteps, Generation X are hugely significant in continuing the development of technological growth. Gen Xers introduced video games, personal computers, and the World Wide Web.
Generation X children were also termed “latchkey kids”. With more moms in the workforce, kids were left to care for themselves. Gen X kids were independent and self-sufficient.
Most Gen X kids had the freedom to do want they wanted without adult supervision. They mainly relied on themselves to get things done.
Kids of this generation were often not permitted in the home until dinner time. And, Gen X kids were permitted to roam outside until the street lights went on. The universal signal that you should head home.
This freedom allowed Gen X kids to wander alone or with friends throughout the neighborhoods to find their own adventures.
Gen X kids were and are still strong, tough, and resilient. They know how to get things done without whining and complaining.
The generational values of Gen X are independence, self-sufficiency, reliability, diversity, and balance.
This generation parented themselves and can get shit done. If you need a strong leader or a Go-To person, find a Gen X er for guidance! Go Gen X!!!
Millennials: Generation Y: Born Between 1981-1996
Millennials, originally named Generation Y, were given their name due to reaching adulthood during the turn of the 21st century. A millennium.
While many millennials are well educated, they faced the Recession during 2008-2009, which created spikes and downfalls in the economy.
Though millennials are educated, most will have the burden of paying off deep college debt for decades.
Millennials have also faced a challenging job market, which sparked an increase in entrepreneurial businesses. Additionally, millennials grew up with computers and various new technologies.
Dial-up internet was discovered and technological advances quickly surpassed other generations. Social Media took the interest of most millennials, followed by unlimited resource access from AOL, Yahoo, Google, and Facebook.
Millennials are an overall self-conscience generation. They aim to live a healthy lifestyle, eat nutritious foods, and focus on fitness and well-being.
Most Millennials marry later than all previous generations and generally have two to three children. The majority of millennial households are two-income families, making costly childcare one of the highest-budget expenses for parents.
The generational values of Millennials are having a strong work-life balance, collaborating, and creativity. They work to live and often value lifestyle over career.
Generation Z, Gen Z: Born between 1997-2012
Those born in Generation Z are the first generation to experience a world that is fully based on technology. Gen Z kids grew up surrounded by iPads, smartphones, and laptop computers.
My Gen Z grandchildren were issued an iPad in Kindergarten through their school district. In their school district, Kindergarten through 8th grade used iPads on a daily basis for schoolwork, as well as other activities.
Laptop computers are given to students in high school, from 9th through 12th grades. All homework, classwork, and projects are submitted through digital programs.
The days of paper and pencil barely exist in our school system, which can be extremely challenging for some students who lack the intricacies or fundamentals of computer programs.
Some students, including my autistic grandson, are very proficient in computer systems but find completing work only through online programs difficult.
Yet, overall, Gen Z can typically figure out any and all functionalities of computers, smartphones, and all other programs.
Generation Z has been fully saturated and exposed to social media, as well as cyberbullying and other negative internet issues. Social media has also been the cause of increased crime and violence in and out of schools.
The generational values of Gen Z include being open-minded and progressive. They are interested in equality and speak up about social and climate change. They are an extremely diverse group that believes in gender and cultural equality.
Generation Alpha: Born Between 2013-2025
As a young generation, it is hard to identify all of the traits and characteristics of Generation Alpha. However, Gen Alpha is the first generation to be born in the 21st century.
Generation Alpha will grow up having full access to technology in all aspects of their lives. They will possess intrinsic knowledge of all digital platforms and devices and use them on a daily basis.
All forms of technology are second nature to this generation with artificial intelligence, AI, becoming incorporated in all areas.
This generation will be more racially diverse than Gen Z or any other generation. They are self-expressive and open-minded to other cultures, sexuality, and genders. Gen Alphas are independent and may not conform to conventional norms of society.
Most Generation Alpha lived through and survived the COVID-19, Coronavirus Pandemic, when the world shut down on March 13, 2020. Social distancing was enforced and masks were required.
This was a confusing time for everyone, but extremely difficult for young Gen Alphas who could not truly understand the severity of the situation.
As Gen Alphas were beginning to learn important socializing skills, they were forced into shutdown and isolation for close to a year.
Schooling for the Alphas was stunted. Current national and international test scores show, that learning and socializing for this group drastically deteriorated.
Regardless of the studies, it will take years to see and understand the true impact COVID-19 had on Generation Alphas as well as the other Generations.
Blatant Disrespect for Generational Differences
As a Baby Boomer/Gen Xer, raising Gen Z grandkids, I’ve noticed numerous disrespects from Gen Zers for the older generations. For example, foul language.
Now let me say, that Boomers and Gen X are FAMOUS for dropping the F-bomb. I have to admit it is part of my everyday language! (Not at anyone, but at least to myself!)
Our generations enhanced the F-word. Fine-tuned it. Gave it a place in the dictionary. Boomers and Gen X established the F-word as a noun, a verb, an adjective, a pronoun and I’m sure other grammatical areas in the English language.
As a young teen, I had a full-page paper with various F-word sentences describing which grammatical usage the F-word had in each sentence. Trust me, my father didn’t think it was as funny as my siblings and I thought it was! Regardless, we used and still use the F-bomb. A LOT!!
The HUGE generational differences are, that I would NEVER use that word or any other curse word in public or around adults. I would NEVER risk a neighbor or a teacher hearing me curse because it was considered disrespectful.
I also would NEVER curse or use bad language in front of young children. That was definitely a no-no!
So, even if I thought I was a smart-ass kid with my friends, I was a full-on coward when it came to authority!
This article may be helpful. It discusses How to Teach Your Child Manners and Respect.
Respecting Authority
For generations, teenagers have sought freedom and independence from their parents. As teens enter into young adulthood, they begin to question rules set by their parents and schools.
However, most children and teens throughout the generations understand the importance of respecting authority.
Over the generations, children have been taught to respect authority, such as parents, teachers, police officers, doctors, and adults. But through the years, that respect has deteriorated.
Nowadays, kids, I’ll say on the younger side of Gen Z, between the ages of 10-20, have little regard for respect and authority. I have witnessed this age group screaming out profanities anywhere at any time, despite who can hear them.
And, if they are confronted, most will become angry and aggressive, which can become dangerous. Additionally, many parents stick up for their children’s offensive attitudes and protect them from authority, and behaving appropriately.
This blatant disrespect creates broader generation gap problems and perpetuates widespread generational differences.
Appreciating Generational Values
Regardless of which year you were born, all generations believe their way is the right way! Each generation may have strong feelings about the downfalls of other generations.
However, understanding and appreciating each group for their own generational values encourages hope and positivity for future generations.
No generation has found perfection. We are all learning to live and prosper throughout the generations to become mentally and physically content individuals.
Truly learning to appreciate others, whether they are older or younger will help build optimistic connections with our children, our grandchildren, and even our great-grandchildren’s generations.
If you are interested in learning more about your past generations, check out these DNA testing kits at 23 and me and Ancestry.com.
TIPS, IDEAS & SUGGESTIONS FOR LEARNING GENERATIONAL VALUES OF GRANDPARENTS & PARENTS
- Openly listen to people from other generations without bitterness and judgment.
- Stop believing that YOUR generation is the best generation. It is not! All generations have good and bad qualities.
- Stop making others feel bad about when they were born! No one has control over the year or generation they were born into.
- Respect opinions and ideas from other generations without believing you are right and they are wrong!
- Don’t blame younger generations for the conveniences they have. They should not feel responsible for the technological advancements they were born with.
