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Monday, June 06, 2011

Generation Designations

Do you ever wonder how certain designations are assigned to different generations? Well, I did a little research and came up with the following thoughts. It seems, though, that there is some disagreement regarding the exact range of dates for each generation, since the transition can occur over a period of a few years. But here's what I came up with:

The Lost Generation are identified as those born between 1883 and 1900, who came of age during World War I and the roaring twenties and were members of the age classes called to duty in the "Great War."

The G.I. Generation, born between 1900 and 1924, came of age during the Great Depression and World War II. Their midlife accomplishments, subsidized by the G.I. Bill, included building gleaming suburbs, inventing miracle vaccines, and launching moon rockets.

The Silent Generation was born between 1925 and 1945, notably during the Great Depression and World War II, and includes most of those who fought in the Korean War. A 1951 article in Time magazine included this statement, "Youth today is waiting for the hand of fate to fall on its shoulders, meanwhile working fairly hard and saying almost nothing."

The Baby Boom Generation was born between 1946 and 1964 and were so named because they were part of the massive increase in births following World War II.

Generation X was born between 1965 and 1979 and was originally referred to as the "baby bust" generation because of the drop in the birth rate following the baby boom.

Generation Y births occurred between 1980 and 2000. They are sometimes called Echo Boomers, due to the significant increase in birth rates through the 1980s and into the 1990s, and because many of them are children of baby boomers. The origin of the name of Generation Y is vague, possibly just referring to the next generation succeeding Generation X.

But I think French Canadian cartoonist, Marc Beaudet, has eloquently summed it up with this cartoon:



14 comments:

  1. I always thought I was generation X, but I guess I'm Y. Lucky me. Lol. I think the GI Generation, is also known as the Greatest Generation. I certainly think that's true.

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  2. I saw a couple of generation Y's yesterday at the movies...and they were on their Iphones the entire time, texting. I don't get it.

    Baby Boomer and proud of it!

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  3. Elizabeth - The lines between the generations are very vague and vary between information sources. Go with X if you feel as if it fits better. :) I agree with you about the G.I. Generation being the "Greatest Generation." They don't make 'em like that anymore.

    Ethelmae - I don't get it, either. I see them texting everywhere. We've been at scenic overlooks on vacations and have seen other families stop and get out to enjoy the view, while one or more stay in the car and text, never even glancing out the window to see what all the fuss is about.

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  4. I don't get those generation Y kids walking down the road using one hand told his pants
    Grayquill

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  5. Grayquill - ...and the other hand to hold his phone. :) It's a mystery to me, too.

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  6. I am a boomer, but for a while I think we were Yuppies.LOL

    I like that you enjoyed the border collie shot, they are a favorite to watch in competition at the fair.
    Steve ,OOTP

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  7. Steve - I'm not sure I ever qualified as a Yuppie, although I was certainly in that age group. Regarding Border Collies...they're just so intense, and all they want out of life is a job. If someone doesn't give them a job to do, they'll find one on their own. They're so much fun to watch.

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  8. Cute cartoon. At least from this aging Boomer's viewpoint. ;)

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  9. Hi, Frank. I thought that cartoon was priceless. And so true!

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  10. Ah, I see you've met my son. ;)

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  11. Cracked me up!!! :-)

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  12. Hilary - I didn't realize...you've never shown your son from this angle in any of your blog photos. :)

    Beckie - A little play on words? Good one. :)

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  13. Sandra - I couldn't resist doing this post after seeing that cartoon. Glad you enjoyed it, too.

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