We have had lots of demographic polling at dkos about who we are. The more extensive polls go into great detail to clearly define or describe the choices that are being laid out. From those polls, we know that the two largest age groups at dkos are Boomers and Gen Xers/Nexters.
When we have a pie fight at dkos, I wonder sometimes how much is attributable to generational diversity and differences. So I went looking for ways to help us define and hopefully better understand one another.
More below the fold and a ton more in the article sourced.
Lets start by defining what a generation is.
Each generation possesses a unique set of traits and identifying characteristics. These traits define the generation. Those categorized in each generation have lived through similar life experiences, both good and bad. People associated with one generation tend to be more compatible with others in their same generation.
Now for a short list of the generations and a brief description of each.
Traditionalist
(Born: 1920 - 1945)
Life Events: World War II, Great Stock Market Crash of 1929, the Great Depression, the New Deal, establishment of the Social Security System, and Lindbergh's first transatlantic flight.
They prefer military style management when in the workforce due to their experiences in the armed forces. They have a tendency to save and pay cash whenever possible, creating a very conservative spending style. This stems from living through the Great Depression. They know how fast times can get tough and they want to be ready. Because of their direct ties to m of the United States’ largest manufacturers, they have a strong urge to buy American, especially in the automobile industry. In wartime, these Americans also learned to have a respect for authority and law and order. --snip--
They created American society, as we know it today. Their lives have been taunted by world wars and depression, yet they were able to build space programs and create phenomenal vaccines. They hold over three quarters of all financial assets in the world, and the Traditionalist way of thinking has been so powerful in the United States, that the beliefs of all other generations are measured against it.
Boomer
(Born: 1946 - 1964)
Life Events: the civil rights movement, introduction of the birth control pill, Woodstock, seeing the first man walk on the moon, the Kennedys, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, assassinations, Kent State and Viet Nam.
Viet Nam was a biggie. It created the generation gap between the Boomers and the Traditionalists, and it divided the boomers into two groups. The group who joined and served, and the group who protested and/or took steps to make sure they didn't go.
This was the first generation of American children where child rearing was a pleasure and not just an economic necessity or biological inevitability. --snip--
Far more optimistic and positive than the prior generation, Baby Boomers have developed a personality uniquely their own.
Baby Boomers believed in growth and expansion, both here in the US and abroad. Because society doted on children for the
first time in this era, Baby Boomers often thought of themselves as the stars of the show. --snip--
They pursued their own personal gratification, often at a
very high cost to themselves and their families. --snip--
Baby Boomers located flaws in the world and created a mission to correct or change it. This is demonstrated in their careers, as well. Baby Boomers focus on change and advancing their careers. They seem compelled to challenge the authority of Traditionalists and are determined to succeed. With optimistic views, Baby Boomers are confident that they will succeed. This success is what drives them. They have taken their time to work their way up the ladder and gain status in title and in pay. They believe that they will never grow up, grow old, or die.
Generation X
(Born: 1965 - 1980)
Life Events: exploding divorce rates, large increases in single parent families, coming home to an empty home because parents were working, watching milk cartons begin to carry the photographs of missing children, the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, the O.J. Simpson trial, terrorist bombings, oil tanker spills, and a huge amount of technological changes. Gen Xer were the first generation to experience the Internet, cell phones, pagers, cable television, video games and other technologies.
They were exposed, at an early age, to the idea that people who are traditionally thought of as trusted individuals cannot be trusted at all times. --snip--
Experiences such as these helped to shape their skeptical belief that guarantees in life are few, and Gen Xers' skepticism has shaped their entire way of thinking. --snip--
Gen Xers developed into adults that were not only willing to change, but also expected to change. This has been a commonality in the career paths of many Gen Xers. Gen Xers exhibit a need to self manage as opposed to older generations who prefer a more structured environment. --snip--
They plan for themselves rather than waiting for someone else to make their plans for them. As a result, Gen Xers have been characterized as wanting a balance between
their job and their personal life. They tend to rely on themselves and are practical in their approach to work.
Generation Next, or Nexters
(Born: 1981 - 1999)
Life Experiences: Columbine/school shootings.
As the children of the Baby Boomers, Nexters have been pushed from birth to constantly improve themselves. --snip--
Nexters tend to be involved in numerous organizations and sports, as well as attending school. This generation has been involved in the return to "family values." They watched as their parents adapted their schedules to spend more time with them and have been motivated by their positive outlook.
Where Gen Xers were involved in the introduction of technologies, Nexters grew up with cell phones, pagers and personal computers since early childhood. This made Nexters much more connected with the world around them. Because of this, they tend to be more realistic about the world in which they live.
Nexters have come to expect diversity. Nexters inherited many of the traits of older generations. From their parents (Baby Boomers), they received the gift of optimism, from their grandparents (Traditionalists) they regained the sense of loyalty and from common experiences with Gen Xers they developed a level of skepticism.
This balance created a very confident generation that craves meaning in all that they do. --snip-- Nexters expect to be part of the action creating a desire for collaboration or cooperation rahter than the self-management style of the Gen Xers. They are characterized by an optimistic outlook, self-assurance, strong morals, a need to serve the community, an aware of diversity and are focused on achieveent.
Cuspers.
These people were usually born during the two or three year period around the sift in generations and display characteristics of more than one generation.
Each generation experienced different life sculpting events, which brought about differing traits and characteristics. These opposing points of view create the generational gaps that are found in American businesses dkos today.