Generation gap

Last updated November 02, 2024

A generation gap or generational gap is a difference of opinions and outlooks between one generation and another. These differences may relate to beliefs, politics, language, work, demographics and values.^[1] The differences between generations can cause misunderstandings, but it is possible for generations to overcome their differences and maintain functional relationships.^[2]

History

While the term "generation gap" might have been crystallized in the 1960s, its essence extends far beyond this label. Throughout history, each generation has carved its identity, distilling the essence of its time into distinctive expressions of culture, art, and innovation. John Poppy's introduction of the term, in Look magazine in 1967, merely affixed a name to a phenomenon that had long been an undercurrent of societal evolution, marking a turning point where the clash of old and new became undeniable. Indeed, Protzko and Schooler report that since 624 BC people have complained about the decline of the present generation of youth compared to earlier generations. They call this the "kids these days effect".^[3]

Also early sociologists such as Karl Mannheim noted differences across generations in how the youth transits into adulthood,^[4] and studied the ways in which generations separate themselves from one another, in the home and in social situations and areas (such as churches, clubs, senior centers, and youth centers).

The sociological theory of a generation gap first came to light in the 1960s, when the younger generation (later known as baby boomers) seemed to go against everything their parents had previously believed in terms of music, values, government and political views as well as cultural tastes. Sociologists now refer to the "generation gap" as "institutional age segregation". Usually, when any of these age groups are engaged in its primary activity, the individual members are physically isolated from people of other generations, with little interaction across age barriers except at the nuclear family level.

Distinguishing generation gaps

There are several ways to make distinctions between generations. For example, names are given to major groups (Silent Generation, Baby boomers, Generation X, Millennials, Generation Z, and Generation Alpha) and each generation sets its own trends and has its own cultural impact.

Language use

It can be distinguished by the differences in their language use. The generation gap has created a parallel gap in language that can be difficult to communicate across. This issue is one visible throughout society, creating complications within day-to-day communication at home, in the workplace, and in schools. As new generations seek to define themselves as something apart from the old, they adopt new lingo and slang, allowing a generation to create a sense of division from the previous one. This is a visible gap between generations we see every day. "Man's most important symbol is his language and through this language, he defines his reality."^[5]

Slang

Slang is an ever-changing set of colloquial words and phrases that speakers use to establish or reinforce social identity or cohesiveness within a group or with a trend in society at large.^[6] As each successive generation of society struggles to establish its own unique identity among its predecessors it can be determined that generational gaps provide a large influence over the continual change and adaptation of slang. As slang is often regarded as an ephemeral dialect, a constant supply of new words is required to meet the demands of the rapid change in characteristics.^[6] And while most slang terms maintain a fairly brief duration of popularity, slang provides a quick and readily available vernacular screen to establish and maintain generational gaps in a societal context.

Technological influences

Every generation develops new slang, but with the development of technology, understanding gaps have widened between the older and younger generations. "The term 'communication skills,' for example, might mean formal writing and speaking abilities to an older worker. But it might mean e-mail and instant-messenger savvy to a twenty-something."^[7] People often have private conversations in secret in a crowded room in today's age due to the advances of mobile phones and text messaging. Among "texters" a form of slang or texting lingo has developed, often keeping those not as tech-savvy out of the loop. "Children increasingly rely on personal technological devices like cell phones to define themselves and create social circles apart from their families, changing the way they communicate with their parents. Cell phones, instant messaging, e-mail, and the like have encouraged younger users to create their own inventive, quirky, and very private written language. That has given them the opportunity to essentially hide in plain sight. They are more connected than ever, but also far more independent. Text messaging, in particular, has perhaps become this generation's version of Pig Latin."^[8]

Technological innovations that have occurred between generations have made some skills obsolete: for example, shorthand (e.g. Gregg shorthand), a system of stenography often used in the 20th century to take notes and write faster using abbreviated symbols, rather than having to write each word. However, with new technology and the keyboard, newer generations no longer favour these older communication skills. Over 20 years ago, shorthand was taught in many high schools, but now students have rarely seen or even heard of it.^[9]

The transitions from each level of lifespan development have remained the same throughout history. They have all shared the same basic milestones in their travel from childhood, through midlife and into retirement. However, while the pathways remain the same—i.e. attending school, marriage, raising families, retiring—the actual journey varies not only with each individual but with each new generation.^[10]

In 2011, the National Sleep Foundation conducted a poll that focused on sleep and the use of technology; 95% of those polled admitted to using some form of technology within the last hour before going to bed at night. The study compared the difference in sleep patterns in those who watched TV or listened to music before bedtime, compared to those who used cell phones, video games and the Internet.^[11] The study looked at Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, Generation Yers, and Generation Zers. The research, as expected, showed generational gaps between the different forms of technology used. The largest gap was shown between texting and talking on the phone; 56% of Gen Zers and 42% of Gen Yers admitted to sending, receiving, and reading text messages every night within one hour before bedtime, compared to only 15% of Gen Xers, and 5% of Baby Boomers. Baby Boomers were more likely to watch TV within the last hour before bedtime, 67%, compared to Millennials, who came in at 49%. When asked about computer/internet use within the last hour before bedtime, 70% of those polled admitted to using a computer "a few times a week", and of those, 55% of the Gen Zers said they "surf the web" every night before bed.^[11]

Language brokering

Another aspect of language use which works to define a generation gap occurs within families in which different generations speak different primary languages. To help communicate within a family, "language brokerage" may be used: that is, the "interpretation and translation performed in everyday situations by bilinguals who have had no special training".^[12] In some immigrant families, the first generation speaks mainly their native tongue; the second generation speaks mainly the host language (i.e. that of the country in which they now live) while still retaining fluency in their parent's dominant language; and the third generation mainly uses the host language, and retain little or no conversational skills in their grandparents' native tongue. In such families, the second generation family members serve as interpreters not only to outside persons, but within the household, further propelling^{[ clarification needed ]} generational differences and divisions by means of linguistic communication.^[13]

In some immigrant families and communities, language brokering is also used to integrate children into family endeavors and into civil society. Child integration has become very important to form linkages between new immigrant communities and the predominant culture and new forms of bureaucratic systems.^[14] It also helps child development by learning, and pitching in.

Workplace attitudes

USA Today reported that younger generations are "entering the workplace in the face of demographic change and an increasingly multi-generational workplace".^[15] Multiple engagement studies show that the interests shared across the generation gap by members of this increasingly multi-generational workplace can differ substantially.^[16]

Researchers, who found evidence of millennials are relatively more confident in their abilities, speculate that they were 'buoyed by an educational system with inflated grades and standardized tests' and that this may complicate relations with colleagues of other generations.^[17]

Most of these inflated expectations are direct results of the generation's upbringing.^{[ according to whom? ]} During the Great Recession, millennials watched first-hand as their parents worked long hours, only to fall victim to downsizing and layoffs.^{[ citation needed ]} Many families could not withstand these challenges, leading to high divorce rates and broken families.^{[ citation needed ]} In fact, 59% of Millennials say the Great Recession negatively impacted their career plans, while only 35% of mature workers feel the same way.^[18] For these reasons, millennials are more likely to negotiate the terms of their work.^[19] Though some boomers view this as lazy behavior, others have actually been able to learn from millennials, reflecting on whether the sacrifices that they had made in their lives provided them with the happiness that they had hoped for.^{[ citation needed ]}

Growing up, millennials looked to parents, teachers, and coaches as a source of praise and support. They were part of an educational system with inflated grades and standardized tests, in which they were skilled at performing well. Millennials developed a strong need for frequent, positive feedback from supervisors. Today, managers find themselves assessing their subordinates’ productivity quite frequently, despite the fact that they often find it burdensome. Additionally, millennials’ salaries and employee benefits give this generation an idea of how well they are performing. Millennials crave success, and good-paying jobs have been proven to make them feel more successful.^[19]

Because group projects and presentations were commonplace during the schooling of millennials, this generation enjoys collaborating and even developing close friendships with colleagues. While working as part of a team enhances innovation, enhances productivity, and lowers personnel costs. Supervisors find that millennials avoid risk and independent responsibility by relying on team members when making decisions, which prevents them from showcasing their own abilities.^[17]

A commonly cited generational gap concerns generational relationships to technology. Some research suggests that an overreliance has rendered millennials less adept at face-to-face interaction and verbal cues. Though it was also suggested that millennials are relatively more effective in multitasking, responding to visual stimulation, and filtering information.^[20]^{[ relevant? ]}

However, according to the engagement studies, mature workers and the new generations of workers share similar thoughts on a number of topics across the generation gap. Their opinions overlap on flexible working hours/arrangements, promotions/bonuses, the importance of computer proficiency, and leadership. Additionally, the majority of Millennials and mature workers enjoy going to work every day and feel inspired to do their best.^[18]

In 2020 the NAS completed a literature review on workplace generational differences, looking at a variety of measures including job satisfaction, manager's perceptions, and personality. For a great deal of research, it reported that it was difficult to surmise whether an effect was a result of one's generation, or rather a result of a person's age^{[lower-alpha 1]} or historical events/trends. Among research which accounted for this by following attitudes over time, the review found mild effects, writing “individuals from the same “generation” are just as likely to be different from one another as from individuals of different generations.”^[21] Other researchers have drawn similar conclusions.^[22]^[23]^[24]^[25]

Generational consciousness

Generational consciousness is another way of distinguishing among generations that were worked on by social scientist Karl Mannheim. Generational consciousness is when a group of people become mindful of their place in a distinct group identifiable by their shared interests and values. Social, economic, or political changes can bring awareness to these shared interests and values for similarly-aged people who experience these events together and thereby form a generational consciousness. These types of experiences can impact individuals' development at a young age and enable them to begin making their own interpretations of the world based on personal encounters that set them apart from other generations.^[26]

Intergenerational living

"Both social isolation and loneliness in older men and women are associated with increased mortality, according to a 2012 Report by the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America".^[27] Intergenerational living is one method being used worldwide as a means of combating such feelings. A nursing home in Deventer, The Netherlands, developed a program wherein students from a local university are provided small, rent-free apartments within the nursing home facility. In exchange, the students volunteer a minimum of 30 hours per month to spend time with the seniors. The students will watch sports with the seniors, celebrate birthdays, and simply keep them company during illnesses and times of distress.^[27] Programs similar to the Netherlands’ program were developed as far back as the mid-1990s in Barcelona, Spain. In Spain's program, students were placed in seniors’ homes, with a similar goal of free or cheap housing in exchange for companionship for the elderly. That program quickly spread to 27 other cities throughout Spain, and similar programs can be found in Lyon, France, and Cleveland, Ohio.^[28]

Demographics

To help sociologists understand the transition into adulthood of children of different generations, they compare the current generation to both older and earlier generations at the same time. Not only does each generation mature mentally and physically in their own ways, but they also create new aspects^{[ clarification needed ]} of attending school, forming new households, starting families and even creating new demographics. The difference in demographics regarding values, attitudes, and behaviors between the two generations are used to create a profile for the emerging generation of young adults.^[10]

After the economic boom after the Second World War, America's population rose between the years 1940–1959, and the new American generation was called the Baby Boomers. Today, as of 2017, many of these Baby Boomers have celebrated their 60th birthdays, and so in the next few years, America's senior citizen population will also increase. The generation gap, however, between the Baby Boomers and earlier generations is growing due to the Boomers population post-war.^{[ clarification needed ]}

There is a large demographic difference between the Baby Boomer generation and earlier generations, which are less racially and ethnically diverse than the Baby Boomers. This also results in a growing cultural gap: baby boomers have generally higher education, with a higher percentage of women in the labor force and more often occupying professional and managerial positions.^[29] These differences create issues of community preferences^{[ clarification needed ]} as well as spending.

Related Research Articles

Generation X is the demographic cohort following the Baby Boomers and preceding Millennials. Researchers and popular media often use the mid-1960s as its starting birth years and the late 1970s as its ending birth years, with the generation being generally defined as people born from 1965 to 1980. By this definition and U.S. Census data, there are 65.2 million Gen Xers in the United States as of 2019. Most of Generation X are the children of the Silent Generation and early Baby Boomers; Xers are also often the parents of Millennials and Generation Z.

Baby boomers, often shortened to boomers, are the demographic cohort preceded by the Silent Generation and followed by Generation X. The generation is often defined as people born from 1946 to 1964 during the mid-20th century baby boom. The dates, the demographic context, and the cultural identifiers may vary by country. Most baby boomers are the children of either the Greatest Generation or the Silent Generation, and are often parents of Millennials.

A generation is all of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively. It also is "the average period, generally considered to be about 20–⁠30 years, during which children are born and grow up, become adults, and begin to have children." In kinship, generation is a structural term, designating the parent–child relationship. In biology, generation also means biogenesis, reproduction, and procreation.

Millennials, also known as Generation Y or Gen Y, are the demographic cohort following Generation X and preceding Generation Z. Researchers and popular media use the early 1980s as starting birth years and the mid-1990s to early 2000s as ending birth years, with the generation typically being defined as people born from 1981 to 1996. Most Millennials are the children of Baby Boomers and older Generation X. In turn Millennials are often the parents of Generation Alpha.

Youth culture refers to the societal norms of children, adolescents, and young adults. Specifically, it comprises the processes and symbolic systems that are shared by the youth and are distinct from those of adults in the community.

A baby boom is a period marked by a significant increase of births. This demographic phenomenon is usually ascribed within certain geographical bounds of defined national and cultural populations. The cause of baby booms involves various fertility factors. The best-known baby boom occurred in the mid-twentieth century, sometimes considered to have started after the end of the Second World War, sometimes from the late 1945s, and ending in the 1960s. People born during this period are often called baby boomers.

The Silent Generation, also known as the Traditionalist Generation, is the Western demographic cohort following the Greatest Generation and preceding the baby boomers. The generation is generally defined as people born from 1928 to 1945. By this definition and U.S. Census data, there were 23 million Silents in the United States as of 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helicopter parent</span> Term for a parent who closely manages their childs life

A helicopter parent is a term for a parent who is overattentive and overly fearful of a child's experiences and problems, particularly outside the home and at educational institutions. Helicopter parents are so named because, like helicopters, they "hover overhead", overseeing every aspect of their child's life. A helicopter parent is also known to strictly supervise their children in all aspects of their lives, including in social interactions.

Generation Z, also known as Zoomers, is the demographic cohort succeeding Millennials and preceding Generation Alpha. Researchers and popular media use the mid-to-late 1990s as starting birth years and the early 2010s as ending birth years, with the generation most frequently being defined as people born from 1997 to 2012. Most members of Generation Z are the children of younger baby boomers or Generation X.

The Post-'80s or Post-1980s is a Chinese colloquial term referring to the generation in Mainland China born between 1980 and 1989, especially in urban cities, after the introduction of the one-child policy. It is the Chinese counterpart to the early Generation Y in the Western World, the first post-Cultural Revolution generation, and the first to grow up entirely within the Reform era. The Post-80s currently ranges from age 34 to 44, making up a major portion of China's working young adult demographic.

A culture gap is any systematic difference between two cultures which hinders mutual understanding or relations. Such differences include the values, behavior, education, and customs of the respective cultures. As international communications, travel, and trade have expanded, some of the communication and cultural divisions have lessened. Books on how to handle and be aware of cultural differences seek to prepare business people and travelers. Immigrants and migrant laborers need to learn the ways of a new culture. Tourists can also be confronted with variants in protocols for tipping, body language, personal space, dress codes, and other cultural issues. Language instructors try to teach cultural differences as well.

The Strauss–Howe generational theory, devised by William Strauss and Neil Howe, describes a theorized recurring generation cycle in American history and Western history. According to the theory, historical events are associated with recurring generational personas (archetypes). Each generational persona unleashes a new era lasting around 21 years, in which a new social, political, and economic climate (mood) exists. They are part of a larger cyclical "saeculum". The theory states that a crisis recurs in American history after every saeculum, which is followed by a recovery (high). During this recovery, institutions and communitarian values are strong. Ultimately, succeeding generational archetypes attack and weaken institutions in the name of autonomy and individualism, which eventually creates a tumultuous political environment that ripens conditions for another crisis.

The working environment has gone through a major transformation over the last decades, particularly in terms of population in the workforce. The generations dominating the workforce in 2024 are baby boomers, Generation X, millennials and Generation Z. The coming decades will see further changes with emergence of newer generations, and slower removal of older generations from organisations as pension age is pushed out. Many reports, including a publication by Therese Kinal and Olga Hypponen of Unleash, warn that understanding differences between the generations, and learning to adapt their management practices is critical to building a successful multigenerational workplace.

Xennials are the micro-generation of people on the cusp of the Generation X and Millennial demographic cohorts.

A cusper is a person born near the end of one generation and the beginning of another. People born in these circumstances tend to have a mix of characteristics common to their adjacent generations, but do not closely resemble those born in the middle of their adjacent generations, and thus these cusper groups can be considered micro generations. Generational profiles are built based on people born in the middle of a generation rather than those on the tails of a generation. Generations may overlap by five to eight years. As such, many people identify with aspects of at least two generations. The precise birth years defining when generations start and end vary. Lancaster and Stillman (2002) introduced the term, cusper, in reference to those who are born at either end of a generation, and consequently, may identify to some extent with the generation before or after it. The authors observed that such individuals can often play an important role in mediating dialogue between members of different generations. Other authors like Ubl, Walden and Arbit (2017) observed something similar: "the truth is that they play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless communication across generations. Cuspers are natural translators because they often speak the language of two generations. Sometimes we even call them generationally bilingual!"

Generation Z, colloquially known as Zoomers, is the demographic cohort succeeding Millennials and preceding Generation Alpha.

"OK boomer" or "okay boomer" is a catchphrase and internet meme used to dismiss or mock attitudes typically associated with baby boomers – people born in the two decades following World War II. The phrase first drew widespread attention due to a November 2019 TikTok video in response to an older man, though the phrase had been coined years before that. It is used mostly by those of the Millennial generation and Generation Z. The phrase has developed into a retort for resistance to technological change, climate change denial, marginalization of members of minority groups, or opposition to younger generations' values more generally. Critics of the term perceive it as ageist. It has been noted as a marker of intergenerational conflict.

Zillennials, or Zennials, is a social cohort encompassing people born on the cusp of, or during the latter years of the Millennial generation and the early years of Generation Z. Their adjacency between the two generations and limited age set has led to their characterization as a "micro-generation". They are generally the children of younger Baby Boomers and Generation X. Estimates of the U.S. population in this cohort range from 30 million to 48 million.

Millennials, also known as Generation Y or Gen Y, are the demographic cohort following Generation X and preceding Generation Z.

Millennials, also known as Generation Y, are the demographic cohort following Generation X and preceding Generation Z. The generation is typically defined as people born between 1981 and 1996.

References

↑ "the definition of generation gap". www.Dictionary.com. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
↑ Cambridge, University Press & Assessment (2023). "Cambridge Dictionary".
↑ Protzko, John; Schooler, Jonathan W. (2019-10-16). "Kids these days: Why the youth of today seem lacking". Science Advances. 5 (10): eaav5916. Bibcode:2019SciA....5.5916P. doi:10.1126/sciadv.aav5916. ISSN 2375-2548. PMC 6795513 . PMID 31663012.
↑ Furlong, A 2013
↑ Ramaa Prasad (1 December 1992). Generation Gap, a Sociological Study of Inter-generational Conflicts. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-351-3 . Retrieved 7 June 2012.
1 2 Slang and Sociability, Eble, Connie, Chapel Hill Press: the University of North Carolina, 1996
↑ Kersten, Denise (15 November 2002). "Today's Generations Face New Communication Gaps". USAToday.com. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
↑ Holson, Laura M. (9 March 2008). "Text Generation Gap: U R 2 Old (JK)". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
↑ Owen, Andrew. "Gregg Shorthand". Archived from the original on 16 September 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
1 2 Settersten, Richard A., Furstenberg, Frank F., and Rumbaut, Rubén G., eds. On the Frontier of Adulthood: Theory, Research, and Public Policy. Chicago, IL, USA: University of Chicago Press, 2005. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 30 March 2015.
1 2 Rosenberg, Russell, et al. National Sleep Foundation 2011 "Sleep in America" Poll. (White Paper.) 2011.
↑ Tse, Lucy (1996). "Language brokering in linguistic minority communities: The case of Chinese- and Vietnamese-American students". The Bilingual Research Journal. 20 (3–4): 485–498. doi:10.1080/15235882.1996.10668640.
↑ Del Torto, L.M. (2008). "Once a broker, always a broker: Non-professional interpreting as identity accomplishment in multigenerational Italian-English bilingual family interaction". Multilingua. 27 (1/2): 77–97. doi:10.1515/multi.2008.005. S2CID 201097043.
↑ Bauer, Elaine (2010) "Language brokering: Practicing active citizenship", mediation 10, http://mediazioni.sitlec.unibo.it Archived 2014-06-06 at the Wayback Machine , ISSN 1974-4382
↑ Armour, Stephanie (6 November 2005). "Generation Y: They've arrived at work with a new attitude". USA Today. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
↑ "Winning the generation game". The Economist. 26 September 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
1 2 Myers, Sadaghiani (2010). "Millennials in the Workplace: A Communication Perspective on Millennials' Organizational Relationships and Performance". Journal of Business and Psychology. 25 (2): 225–238. doi:10.1007/s10869-010-9172-7. PMC 2868990 . PMID 20502509.
1 2 "Millennial and mature workers attitudes align". Randstad USA. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
1 2 Ng. "New Generation, Great Expectations: A Field Study of the Millennial Generation". Journal of Business and Psychology.
↑ Hershatter. "Millennials and the World of Work: An Organization and Management Perspective". Journal of Business and Psychology.
↑ Read "Are Generational Categories Meaningful Distinctions for Workforce Management?" at NAP.edu.
↑ Rudolph, Cort W.; Rauvola, Rachel S.; Costanza, David P.; Zacher, Hannes (2020-09-04). "Generations and Generational Differences: Debunking Myths in Organizational Science and Practice and Paving New Paths Forward". Journal of Business and Psychology. 36 (6): 945. doi:10.1007/s10869-020-09715-2. PMC 7471586 . PMID 32901173.
↑ Lyons, Sean; Kuron, Lisa (February 2014). "Generational differences in the workplace: A review of the evidence and directions for future research: Generational Differences in the Workplace". Journal of Organizational Behavior. 35 (S1): S139–S157. doi:10.1002/job.1913.
↑ Costanza, David P.; Badger, Jessica M.; Fraser, Rebecca L.; Severt, Jamie B.; Gade, Paul A. (2012-12-01). "Generational Differences in Work-Related Attitudes: A Meta-analysis". Journal of Business and Psychology. 27 (4): 375–394. doi:10.1007/s10869-012-9259-4. ISSN 1573-353X.
↑ Zabel, Keith L.; Biermeier-Hanson, Benjamin B. J.; Baltes, Boris B.; Early, Becky J.; Shepard, Agnieszka (2017-06-01). "Generational Differences in Work Ethic: Fact or Fiction?". Journal of Business and Psychology. 32 (3): 301–315. doi:10.1007/s10869-016-9466-5. ISSN 1573-353X.
↑ Furlong, Andy (2013). Youth Studies: An Introduction. New York: Routledge. p. 12. ISBN 978-0-415-56479-3.
1 2 "Dutch nursing home offers rent-free housing to students". PBS NewsHour. 5 April 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
↑ International Association of Homes and Services for the Ageing (IAHSA) (2013). "Intergenerational Living". . Web. 12 April 2015.
↑ Frey, William H. Baby Boomers and the New Demographics of America's Seniors. San Francisco: American Society on Aging, 2010. PDF. 1 April 2015

↑ 'Age' being distinct from 'generation'. A pattern of behaviour may be common to all individuals at e.g. age 25 regardless of if they reach 25 in the 1990's, the 2000's, the 2010's, etc.