A tidal wave of births created the appropriately named Baby Boomer generation, as they literally represent a boom in the birth rate. This massive generation came of age in the aftermath of WWII, during a time of economic expansion that included the creation of the first suburbs. But it’s important to note that Baby Boomers do not remember WWII.

We often use phrases or words that we don’t fully understand. Sometimes we even use words or phrases the meanings of which we are totally clueless. As
people with a passion for words and language, that is generally not viewed as a desirable trait. Yet, the plain fact is we can’t have a detailed understanding of every word or phrase…particularly when the word belongs to the jargon of a larger body of knowledge.

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However, when that jargon is in use as often and frequently as the phrases
“Gen X” or “Baby Boomer”, it seems especially important we have some
reasonably good idea of what these terms actually mean. Although these phrases, as jargon, stem from the larger discipline of demographics, and are used most frequently by market researchers, the fact is everybody uses these words and phrases. In effect, these cue words or phrases for the sub components of society demarcated by age are not only useful, but are generally the language used by non-demographers and society as a whole when discussing the current spectrum of population cohorts.

Our goal, this month, then, is to provide a primer on the identification and
description of the population cohorts in America as currently widely (but not universally) agreed upon by demographers and market researchers.

The Depression Era

Born: 1912-1921
Coming of Age: 1930-1939
Age in 2004: 83 to 92
Current Population: 11-12 million (and declining rapidly)

Depression era individuals tend to be conservative, compulsive savers,
maintain low debt and use more secure financial products like CDs versus stocks.
These individuals tend to feel a responsibility to leave a legacy to their
children. Tend to be patriotic, oriented toward work before pleasure, respect
for authority, have a sense of moral obligation.

World War II

Born: 1922 to 1927
Coming of Age: 1940-1945
Age in 2004: 77-82
Current Population: 11 million (in quickening decline)

People in this cohort shared in a common goal of defeating the Axis
powers. There was an accepted sense of “deferment” among this group,
contrasted with the emphasis on “me” in more recent (i.e. Gen X)
cohorts.

Post-War Cohort

Born: 1928-1945
Coming of Age: 1946-1963
Age in 2004: 59 to 76
Current Population: 41 million (declining)

This generation had significant opportunities in jobs and education as the War ended and a
post-war economic boom struck America. However, the growth in Cold War tensions,
the potential for nuclear war and other never before seen threats led to levels
of discomfort and uncertainty throughout the generation. Members of this group
value security, comfort, and familiar, known activities and environments.

Boomers I or The Baby Boomers

Born: 1946-1954
Coming of Age: 1963-1972
Age in 2004: 50-58
Current Population: 33 million

For a long time the Baby Boomers were defined as those born between 1945 and
1964. That would make the generation huge (71 million) and encompass people who
were 20 years apart in age. It didn’t compute to have those born in 1964
compared with those born in 1946. Life experiences were completely different.
Attitudes, behaviors and society were vastly different. In effect, all the
elements that help to define a cohort were violated by the broad span of years
originally included in the concept of the Baby Boomers. The first Boomer segment
is bounded by the Kennedy and Martin Luther King assassinations, the Civil
Rights movements and the Vietnam War. Boomers I were in or protested the War.
Boomers 2 or the Jones Generation missed the whole thing.

Boomers I had good economic opportunities and were largely optimistic about the
potential for America and their own lives, the Vietnam War notwithstanding.

Boomers II or Generation Jones

Born: 1955-1965
Coming of Age: 1973-1983
Age in 2004: 39 to 49
Current Population: 49 million

This first post-Watergate generation lost much of its trust in government and
optimistic views the Boomers I maintained. Economic struggles including the oil
embargo of 1979 reinforced a sense of “I’m out for me” and narcissism and
a focus on self-help and skepticism over media and institutions is
representative of attitudes of this cohort. While Boomers I had Vietnam, Boomers
II had AIDS as part of their rites of passage. The youngest members of the
Boomer II generation in fact did not have the benefits of the Boomer I class as
many of the best jobs, opportunities, housing etc. were taken by the larger and
earlier group. Both Gen X and Boomer II s suffer from this long shadow cast by
Boomers I.

Generation X

Born: 1966-1976
Coming of Age: 1988-1994
Age in 2004: 28 to 38
Current Population: 41 million

Sometimes referred to as the “lost” generation, this was the first
generation of “latchkey” kids, exposed to lots of daycare and divorce. Known
as the generation with the lowest voting participation rate of any generation,
Gen Xers were quoted by Newsweek as “the generation that dropped out without
ever turning on the news or tuning in to the social issues around them.”

Gen X is often characterized by high levels of skepticism, “what’s in it for
me” attitudes and a reputation for some of the worst music to ever gain
popularity. Now, moving into adulthood William Morrow (Generations) cited the
childhood divorce of many Gen Xers as “one of the most decisive experiences
influencing how Gen Xers will shape their own families”.

Gen Xers are arguably the best educated generation with 29% obtaining a
bachelor’s degree or higher (6% higher than the previous cohort). And, with
that education and a growing maturity they are starting to form families with a
higher level of caution and pragmatism than their parents demonstrated. Concerns
run high over avoiding broken homes, kids growing up without a parent around and
financial planning.

Generation Y, Echo Boomers or Millenniums

Born: 1977-1994
Coming of Age: 1998-2006
Age in 2004: 10 to 22
Current Population: 71 million

The largest cohort since the Baby Boomers, their high numbers reflect their
births as that of their parent generation. The last of the Boomer Is and most of
the Boomer II s. Gen Y kids are known as incredibly sophisticated, technology
wise, immune to most traditional marketing and sales pitches…as they not only
grew up with it all, they’ve seen it all and been exposed to it all since
early childhood.

Gen Y members are much more racially and ethnically diverse and they are much
more segmented as an audience aided by the rapid expansion in Cable TV channels,
satellite radio, the Internet, e-zines, etc.

Gen Y are less brand loyal and the speed of the Internet has led the cohort to
be similarly flexible and changing in its fashion, style consciousness and where
and how it is communicated with.

Gen Y kids often raised in dual income or single parent families have been more
involved in family purchases…everything from groceries to new cars. One in
nine Gen Yers has a credit card co-signed by a parent.

Generation Z

Born: 1995-2012
Coming of Age: 2013-2020
Age in 2004: 0-9
Current Population: 23 million and growing rapidly

While we don’t know much about Gen Z yet…we know a lot about the environment
they are growing up in. This highly diverse environment will make the grade
schools of the next generation the most diverse ever. Higher levels of
technology will make significant inroads in academics allowing for customized
instruction, data mining of student histories to enable pinpoint diagnostics and
remediation or accelerated achievement opportunities.

Gen Z kids will grow up with a highly sophisticated media and computer
environment and will be more Internet savvy and expert than their Gen Y
forerunners. More to come on Gen Z…stay tuned.

The Generations Which Generation are You? ByFounder and Career CoachCareerPlanner.comSee our new article:These are Western Cultural Generations. Japan and Asia and portions of Europe will have their own generational definitions based on major cultural, political, and economic influences.

Which Generation are You? Generation NameBirthsStartBirthsEndYoungestAge Today.Oldest AgeToday.The Lost GenerationThe Generation of 15105130The Interbellum Generation7119The Greatest Generation110The Silent Generation95Baby Boomer Generation74Generation X (Baby Bust)55Xennials45MillennialsGeneration Y,Gen Next40iGen / Gen Z5Gen Alpha. Notes on Each of the Latest Cultural Generations iGen / Gen Z: Born between 1995 and 2012As of 2017 most of these folks are still too young to have made an impact. However the older ones might be fighting our war in Afghanistan.

The younger ones are hopefully still in school and planning on careers and jobs that will have strong demand and generate new opportunities.I'm personally optimistic about the iGen'ers.According to Jean Twenge PhD., author of ', iGens are different in these respects:(Jean Twenge's writings on generations differs from others. She uses historical surveys and 1 on 1 interviews, rather than just theorizing and speculating. She is a serious researcher, and a professor at San Diego University)iGen'ers are:. Much more tolerant of others - different cultures, sexual orientations, races. More cautious, less risk taking. Less drinking and drug taking in high school.

Less likely to go to church. More likely to think for themselves and not believe authority figures in church or government. The Silent Generation: Born between 1925 and 1945Those of the Silent Generation were born during the Great Depression. Their parents were mostly of the Lost Generation.They grew up expecting a hard life. This was the era when a Christmas present might be a orange or a full meal.They are called the Silent Generation because as a group they were not loud. They did not protest in Washington. There were no major wars to protest.The Greatest Generation: Born between 1910 and 1924Those of the Greatest Generation grew up during the Great Depression and probably fought in World War II.

They are also known as the GI Joe Generation.They are the parents of the Baby Boomers.They were named the Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw, famous News Broadcaster.