The Generations*

Notes on Each of the Latest Cultural Generations

Gen Z: Born between 1995 and 2015

Gen Y: Born between 1975 and 1995

Gen Y'ers were the first generation to experience:

• Growing up with an Internet connection in almost every home
• The largest economic decline since the great depression
• 911 Terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon
• Massive offshoring of American jobs
• Enron
• President G. W. Bush, Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney with their decieving the entire nation about weapons of mass destruction and their subsequent invation and occupation of Iraq

Gen X: Born between 1961 and 1981

According to WikiPedia, Gen X was originally called "Gen Bust" because their birth rate was vastly smaller than the preceding Baby Boomers.

Gen X'ers were the first generation to experience:

• The highest level of education in the US to date
• The 1976 Arab Oil Debacle and the first gas shortages in the US
• The price of gold soaring to $1000/oz for the first time
• The fall of the Berlin Wall and the splitting apart of the Soviet Union
• MTV and the rise of Disco
• China's momentary flirtation with personal freedom and the tragedy of Tiamin Square
• Fighting in the first Gulf War
• NAFTA where President Bill Clinton paves the way to give away millions of American jobs

Baby Boomers: Born between 1945 and 1964

Baby Boomers are defined as being from the huge population increase that followed World War II, and the Great Depression.

They grew up in a time of prosperity and an absence of world wars. They were the Flower Children, taking LSD and protesting the war in Vietnam.

Unlike their parents who grew up during the Great Depression, Boomers became the great consumers. They became famous for spending every dollar they earned.

This was the first Western Generation to grow up with two cars in every garage and a chicken in every pot.

Baby Boomer spending and consumerism has fueled the world economies.

The Baby Boomers fought for environmental protection.

Baby Boomers were the first generation to experience:

• A time of unparalleled national optimism and prosperity
• The Cold War, fear of a nuclear attack from Russia, bomb shelters and hiding under a desk at school
• The assassination of President John F. Kennedy
• The assassination of Martin Luther King
• The confidence building from putting a man on the moon
• The incredible waste and destruction of the War in Vietnam
• The Civil Rights Movement

The Silent Generation: Born between 1923 and 1944

Those of the Silent Generation were born during the Great Depression. Their parents were mostly of the Lost Generation.

They grew up expecting a hard life. This was the era when a Christmas present might be a orange or a full meal.

They are called the Silent Generation because as a group they were not loud. They did not protest in Washington. There were no major wars to protest.

The Greatest Generation: Born between 1910 and 1925

Those of the Greatest Generation grew up during the Great Depression and probably fought in World War II. They are also known as the GI Joe Generation.

They are the parents of the Baby Boomers.

They were named the Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw, famous News Broadcaster. Brokaw said they were the greatest because they fought for what was right rather than fighting for selfish reasons.

They certainly made great self sacrifices, fighting to protect people in other countries from the likes of Hitler, Mussolini and Japanese Kamikaze suicide bombers.

Makes one wonder what they will call those bankers and insurance company executives who fought only for personal gain thus creating the 2007-2009 financial collapse.