The Generational Divide(U.S. Populations)

Traditionalists/Silent Generation

Born 1925-1945

75 Million

Baby Boomers Born 1946-1964

80 Million

Generation X Born 1965-1980

46 Million

Generation Y/ Millennial

Born 1980-2002

76 Million

Traditionalists (58+)

InfluencesGreat Depression, Roaring Twenties, World War I & II, Korean War, G.I. Bill

CharacteristicsPatriotic, loyal, “waste not, want not,” faith in institutions

Military influenced top-down approach

Baby Boomers (39-57)

InfluencesSuburbia, TV, Vietnam, Watergate, protests, human rights movement, drugs, and rock ‘n roll

CharacteristicsIdealistic, COMPETITIVE, question authority

“Me” Generation

Money, Title, Recognition

Want to Build A Stellar Career

Baby Boomers (39-57)

Generation X (25-38)

InfluencesSesame Street, MTV, Game Boy, PC, divorce rate tripled, latch-key children

Characteristics- eclectic, resourceful, self-reliant, distrustful of institutions, highly adaptive to change and technology

First generation to be plannedFirst generation to have dual career parentsDivided by divorce (divorce rate three times higher than previous generation)Independent (Latch-key children)Pragmatic (What’s the bottom line?)Seek personal attention (what they did not get as children)Want everything now (materialistic)Information over introspection (just the facts)Want choices

Generation X (25-38)

Generation Y/Millennial (up to 22)

InfluencesExpanded technology, natural disasters, violence, gangs, diversity

CharacteristicsGlobally concerned, realistic, cyber literate, “personal safety” is number one concern

Generation Y/Millennial (up to 22)Fast-Paced Lifestyle with different patterns of social connection and intimacyTechnological proficiencyGravitate towards group activities and team sports vs. unorganized sports.Have more groups of friends rather than individual friends

Aware of campus and community rules, regulations and political correctness, however…see it as a challenge to find a way around the rules

Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation by Neil Howe and William Strauss

How is the Millennial Generation Perceived by Others?

“Society’s emphasis on convenience has empowered them to look for the easiest way out in may circumstances. They have learned to work the system…they are used to working in the distractions of an overcomplicated world…technology guides their every move, and they are stimulation junkies.”

Robert Wendover, Center for Generational Studies

“Today’s students are socially shy, technically savvy, parent-drive, and more complex psychologically than their predecessors. And, they demand a smarter, better trained (college) professional to meet their needs…But there’s a gap between (college) professionals’ usual initiatives and the skills, experience, and tools required to handle the unique developmental and behavioral issues of today’s students.”

Student Affairs Today, Volume 6, Issue 4, July 2003