Image “Just The Two of Us” from the Army Photography Contest – 2007 – FMWRC – Arts and Crafts on Flickr.com
In America we have a tradition of naming different generations of people. I thought I’d share the names of these different generations with you today, so that next time you see or hear these words you’ll know what they mean. See if you can find your generation in this list.
I doubt that any of my readers belong to “The Lost Generation,” but I thought I would mention it anyway as this is the first generation of people that Americans really started naming. The Lost Generation refers to people who were born between 1883-1900. This was considered The Lost Generation because so many people from this time fought, died, and so were “lost” in World War I.
“The Greatest Generation” or what is sometimes called “The G.I. Generation” is a term used to describe people born between 1901-1924. Itincludes many people who grew up to serve in World War II (WWII). Today, there are fewer and fewer people still alive from The Greatest Generation.
“The Silent Generation”, also known as “Depression babies” or “WWII babies,” represents people born between 1925-1942. The Great Depression in the United States and WWII had a big affect on the lives of people born during this time. People in The Silent Generation are often described as hard working, silent, cautious, and indifferent.
“Baby Boomers” are a large group of people who were born after WWII (between 1946-1964) during a time of increasing affluence and wealth in the United States. These people are often referred to as “Boomers.”
“Generation X” is the term used to describe those who were born after the Baby Boomers, up until the late 1970’s. “Gen Xers” are now the major work force in the United States.
The name “Generation Y” was first given to those born from the 1980′s to early 2000′s, but now this generation is often also called “The Millennial Generation”. My guess is that most of the people reading this post are “Millennials.” The person writing this post is :).
There is no official name for the newest, youngest generation of people in America; those who have been born since the early 2000′s. Some people call this group “Generation Z”, while others are trying to come up with more original names like ‘Generation Wii’ or ‘The iGeneration’, to highlight how prevalent technology is in these children’s lives. Only time will tell what we end up calling this newest generation of Americans.
So, now that you have read through this whole post, what generation do you belong to? I’d love to take an informal poll of who is reading this Transparent Language blog by having you post what generation you belong to in the comment section below.
Comments:
Bill Timmons:
Thank you for putting this together. There is a three year gap, 1943-45, without a label. I’m curious how you would label these three because I was born in 1945.
Thanks
Bill
Gabriele:
@Bill Timmons Bill,
I’m not sure what the label would be…do you have any ideas you could share?
-Erin
Elliot Markson:
@Gabriele Call then the “Victory Generation.”
1943-1945
Babyboomer:
2002 to date are called the cyber or internet generation.
Wendy Rentmeister:
The Silent Generation and The Baby Boomers
Jeannette:
Generation x
Melissa:
Thank you for this post. I now know that I’m from Generation X, since I was born in 1974. And, also, know that my 2 sons are Millenials.
Bruce:
Gab..
I had been doing a quick self study of the generations
and their populations. Yours is the most concise and precise description.
B.
Brenda:
Generally called War Babies. Sometime lumped in with Lucky Few.
GumBoocho:
1942-45, WWII babies: I don’t think this group has a generation name! It is distinct coming after The Silent Generation and the Baby-boomers. The term “The Lucky Few” I think is mostly used for a much larger group, but I might like to dub this group “The Lucky Few” for the USA, growing up when the USA was king of the hill, history taught in school to them as if the USA was the greatest nation ever, most moral, etc. Life was easy for young persons in early adulthood; college cheap (no necessary big debts), — if they stayed out of Vietnam. There was no plague of baby-murder when they came along, sodomy did not have approval. Blacks escaped from segregation in the South to the ideal of integration (now lost with multiculturalism). These kids had mamas at home & home-cooked meals. This group could escape war and depression. Before the Vietnam era there were not mobs rioting in the streets. They grew up in that blessed era before Kennedy was murdered and the Vietnam War. (Should we call it The Good Ol Days?) The blacks in the USA did not fair so well in the South, though legal equality was coming, announced in 1954 w/ Brown vs Board of Education.
GumBoocho:
I meant AFTER the Silent Generation and BEFORE the boomers.
GumBoocho:
1942-45, WWII babies: I don’t think this group has a generation name! It is distinct coming after The Silent Generation and Before the Baby-boomers. The term “The Lucky Few” I think is mostly used for a much larger group, but I might like to dub this group “The Lucky Few” for the USA, growing up when the USA was king of the hill, history taught in school to them as if the USA was the greatest nation ever, most moral, etc. Life was easy for young persons in early adulthood; college cheap (no necessary big debts), — if they stayed out of Vietnam. There was no plague of baby-murder when they came along, sodomy did not have approval. Blacks escaped from segregation in the South to the ideal of integration (now lost with multiculturalism). These kids had mamas at home & home-cooked meals. This group could escape war and depression. Before the Vietnam era there were not mobs rioting in the streets. They grew up in that blessed era before Kennedy was murdered and the Vietnam War. (Should we call it The Good Ol Days?) The blacks in the USA did not fair so well in the South, though legal equality was coming, announced in 1954 w/ Brown vs Board of Education.
Mich:
Millennial generation
Donna:
The Gap generation
A. S. Krieg:
I’m considered to be generation “X”. (1966). I like to call the “Scattered Generation”. From 1964 into the late 80’s, early 90’s this generation is a mix of the Lost, Greatest, Silent, and Baby Boomer generations scattered throughout our nation. A very confused generation influenced from all generations of the past, wanting to be a little like each of those past generations.(Mixed)
Vicky Hart:
My morher and I are of the Silent Generation. She was born in 1925.I was born in 1942. How often does that happen?
Cyndi Jones:
Gen X
Ann:
How about the “Inbetween Generation”?
They’re “in between the “Silent Generation”
and the “Baby Boomers”……..
Sandra Rockwell:
I’m the “Silent Generation” or Depression Babies/WWIIBabies. I prefer the Silent Generation
S H Spigner:
I am a black “WWll” or “Silent Generation” female. My father served in the war, own his own refuse business and we lived in West Virginia. My parents charged very little, always hid money in the home, paid cash for most things and did not trust the system. I had a very secure life and was spoiled. But I was taught to be and to give respect to others. Never boast or brag. Be very giving and above all live one step beneath your income. All of this is the results of them having lived during the depression era.
Cindy Lewis:
1973 so I’m generation X:)