Even though I recognise it’s sometimes unhelpful to categorise and generalise, I’ve always loved this thing about putting western culture into Generations. You know, the Silent Generation, the Boomers, Generation X, Millennials… It ‘feels’ generally accurate.
I can definitely sense, for example, a generational shift with these Millennial upstarts. A keener social conscience bordering on political correctness, curtailed economic prospects, the ubiquity of technology and culture…
I’m firmly of the Generation X cohort. Born in 1973, I have an acute sense of disappointing my parents, I worship the pop culture of the 60s to 80s, I love Slackers and Fight Club and Star Wars. I’m cynical and nihilistic at heart. I’m insular and I get irony instinctively.
However, reading up on the supposed traits of my generation, I’m bemused to discover that Generation X are apparently happier and content in middle age, and have excelled as entrepreneurs to create a satisfying work-life balance. I sure missed the boat on that one.
Do you believe in these Generation categories? What Generation do you identify with? What do you think Millennials will be like as they reach middle life? And what do you think will come next?