Accuracies of stereotypes about 'generations'

[Echobelly]

As in Boomers/Generation X and so on; I mean, obviously, one takes these demarcations with a pinch of salt, but I find the psychology of it fascinating.

I find it weird to hear people (usually Americans) talking about Boomers having being these cold, disciplinarian parents. My parents were born in 1950 but experienced the late 60s as young adults and as such I think that helped make them very laid back and loving parents as surely many their age would have been. I guess perhaps the hippie revolution reached a smaller % of the population in the US? There was also the fact that Boomers in the US went through Vietnam as well, which might change people's outlook/make tjem more traumatised.

As Generation X myself I think I'm maybe more social-media obsessed than my Gen Z kids - 12yo is not interested, 15yo looks at videos and posts occasionally on Insta and Tiktok but I'd say spends less time online than I do. In fact I did see an article suggesting our generation is the most social-media consuming one, not Gen Z.

What stereotypes do you think seem true and less true?

I don't love generalising on the whole because, as you point out, it's often inaccurate. Also, as a millennial, I'm constantly having to gently remind people that the kids uplosding crying selfies to Tiktok are Gen Z and millennials are more likely to be found attending parents evenings and looking after elderly parents these days.

However, one thing I've noticed about my parents and their friends is a lack of understanding about how tough life is for younger people today - things like how much of a monthly salary mortgage payments make up or how dropping a CV off to an office in person, uninvited, is not the done way of getting a job anymore.

Having said that, this could just be a 'my parents' thing and not generational at all!

I really hate this kind of stereotyping. One of the things I dislike most on MN is where people making sweeping generalisations about a whole generation .

@ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea I thought the OP was questioning the accuracy of these stereotypes with her post rather than perpetuating them.

I do think there's a certain amount of truth in some comfortably-off Boomers (and I suspect older Gen X, not letting my lot off the hook) really not understanding just how much harder things are. But of course, those are the ones who get quoted in the media or retweeted; and also it's more to do with money than age - I expect a poor Boomer understands the difficulties more than a very wealthy Gen X who has been able to give his or her kids a desposit. I suspect most older people, especially if they have adult children, can't fail to understand the issues.

I applaud the younger generation who some think 'don't want to work' - because they're pushing back against being exploited. I am very heartened to see that more younger people don't want to live to work, and they don't want to work unless they are being paid (so no more 'boasting' about long hours). And quite right too.

Boomers having being these cold, disciplinarian parents

These people became disciniplinarians? Well, that's news to them (& me).

I love all the generalising and love all the FB clips of boomers, gen x, millennials, gen z comparisons. They are true abd really make me laugh.

ps: my parents are just about pre-Boomer: they started with so much less & worked so much harder than me or their grandDC to get ahead, they earned every penny of wealth they have.

I'm a millennial, I don't even know what the stereotypes are about us! That we're entitled I think?

My mum is gen x and my DS gen z.

It's a handy shorthand for the media but I don't think it's particularly useful in identifying commonalities.

For one thing the 'generations' span too wide a period (approx 15 years) to have lots in common, and there's always going to be overlap for the oldest/youngest in each cohort with the generation above/below them. Gen Z for example is apparently 1997-2012 - most 26 year olds are going to have a lot more in common with 'Millennials' aged 28/30, even up to mid thirties than an 11 year old, despite technically being in the same 'cohort.'

Also there are too many other differences - social background/education/intelligence/family background/health/location etc. that can be much more relevant in terms of how your life plays out than just your age.

I think it's divisive more than anything else, and unnecessary - if you disagree with someone can't it just be about them as an individual rather than a typified Boomer/Millennium generation conflict.

I think that there are broad economic and political factors that have shaped the experience of each generation which of course contributes to character but the stereotypes while amusing are not illuminating and can distract from the things to watch out for that have been brewing for the past 60 years in Europe/USA which are, broadly: loss of democratic function to corporations, shrinking workforce and ageing population, deliberate and calculated stockpiling of assets by the super rich, devaluation of wages and currency and an entrenched precariat class of workers, the rise of populism and the mainstream right, a puritanical approach to culture of all kinds.

We're not going to get a grip on any of that while we're turning on each other.

My DS makes generalisations about his grandad ( white, minor public school educated) because of the way he talks. Grandad has always worked in a vocational setting, will talk to anyone with respect and humour is still able to do everything from fix a car to sort out a house repairs ( wiring, diy etc) at nearly 80. As can many of his ilk.
DS thinks DG generalises about people yet fails to see him and his peers do this equally ( especially about his parents generation that smoke and drink and socialise differently). He is very dismissive of my GC views (I’m transphobic) despite me being friendly and positive to his trans man mate who has been over multiple times. The fact I think she is still female has nothing to do with how inclusive I am towards her as young ASD student, with well vocalised issues in her home life.

Being a decent human being, working hard and contributing something positive to society are more important than one or two viewpoints that conflict with your own. I love my son and his choices but find them so puritanical. As does DG who was a child of the 60’s.

There are several large scale studies on generations in the workplace and they typically find stereotypes are just that, and exaggerated. Age changes attitudes (young people want different things to middle aged or those near retirement) but generations are actually very similar in what they value and are motivated by.

I do like it when articles moan about 'millenials' when they mean gen z, not realising most millennials are middle aged now.