All Generations by Year

When talking about a generation, it is necessary to touch, first of all, on a person’s personality. Each individual's personality is shaped by various factors: family, society, daily environment, and work. Also, the media, which instill various products in the form of social, moral, and social norms, have a serious impact on society. However, most people from the same generation are united by some fundamental events and values.
As a result of each temporary event, the usual level of comfort for most people changes, professions and industrial companies appear or disappear, and the needs of society grow or fall. Each change in a certain chronological interval affects the formation of young people's views on life. However, the value system of the previous generation remains almost unchanged.
Generation – is a social group of people born in the same chronological period of time who grew up in similar conditions.
The Essence of the Theory of Generations
The essence of the theory developed by scientists is that generations replace each other approximately every 20 years, and people associated with them are united by three criteria:
They are influenced by the same historical events and sociocultural trends at the same stages of their lives. An example of such current trends for our time: sharing economics, native advertising, and an individual approach to planning working time.
They share common beliefs and a similar pattern of behavior. Thus, representatives of some generations adhere to the concept of gender equality, while others adhere to the patriarchal family model, where all important decisions are made by the man.
Certain life experiences give them a sense of belonging to their generation. For example, people who have experienced the same global events (such as the Korean or Vietnam War) and then participated in the struggle for their rights and freedoms feel unity with each other.
It often happens that age-related misunderstandings arise between generations. We fight with children and parents for both serious reasons and little things. Psychologists around the world have been studying this problem for many years. There are many conclusions on this topic, but the question still remains open: why can there be such a colossal difference in views on life between people who were born with a small age difference (10 – 20 years)?
Generation theory was developed in 1991 by American social writers William Strauss and Neil Howe. Its essence is that people born in a certain period of time have similar values and types of thinking.
Of course, you cannot evaluate each individual person only from the position of his belonging to the generation; each symbol is individual and does not always coincide with the average data. But understanding what motivates people of a certain age can help you find an approach to them.

The Silent Generation (1925-1945)

Distinctive features: Grew up during the Great Depression and World War II.
The values of the basic unit of this society were formed until the end of the 50s. This time period is distinctive: the end of the Great Depression, victory in World War II, the Korean War, existential economic growth, and much more.
The word «family» comes first for them. Only in a narrow circle of relatives can such a person share his opinion on any topic. Because only the family will not betray. In public places, such people are most often silent.
Distinctive features:
Patience
Conservative values
Silence and stoicism: Often referred to as the «silent» generation, they are known for their stoic nature
Respect for the law and social norms
Reluctance to speak out
Frugality as a consequence of economic hardship suffered during the Great Depression and World War II
Ability to work with dedication
Trust in doctors
Also, during this time period, antibiotics appeared that changed all world medicine, which subsequently instilled in people unconditional trust in medical workers. The doctors' findings were perceived as taboo and not subject to challenge.
So, people from this chronological interval honor the laws, and the opinions of other people and once again do not open their mouths without good reason. They are also very prudent when it comes to saving for a rainy day.

Baby Boomers (1946-1964)

The baby boomer generation gets its name from the post-war spike in fertility. It was during this period that the creation of the mass psychology of consumerism fell into economic prosperity. Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, grew in an era when the economy was booming, and the consumption of goods became an integral part of everyday life. The post-war economic recovery led to the massive appearance of all kinds of goods on the market and increased housing affordability. This abundance shaped not only their expectations of life but also their way of life. They grew up surrounded by material wealth, which could not but affect their aspirations and aspirations in life, leaving an indelible mark on their understanding of comfort and success.
Distinctive features:
Hard work as a life principle. Hard work and commitment to work have become iconic features of the baby boomer generation. Growing up in the spirit of believing that hard work is the key to life's achievements, they highly value career stability and long-term employment. For many of them, professional achievements are directly related to feelings of personal success and self-esteem.
Leaders of social change. Baby boomers were not just witnesses of major social changes, but also active participants in these processes. This generation was at the origins of key social movements, including civil rights struggles, feminism, and mass protests against wars.
Attention to health and well-being. Over time, as baby boomers age, their interest in health and well-being has increased markedly. This generation has been the driving force behind many medical advances and has contributed to raising awareness of the importance of healthy aging. They are enthusiastic about investing in practices aimed at maintaining health and actively support innovations that promote better quality of life in adulthood.
Commitment to traditional values. Although baby boomers were at the center of cultural upheaval and revolution as young people, many still remain true to traditional values. Family, community, and national pride occupy an important place in their lives.
As a result, baby boomers can be said to be a generation whose lives and worldviews have been shaped by economic prosperity, commitment to work, participation in social change, and deep connections with traditional values. Their influence continues to be felt in a wide variety of areas of life, from work ethics and health care to cultural norms and social foundations.

Generation X or Gen X (1965-1980)

Generation X is numerous; it was from this generation that cosmopolitanism began to flourish. Marketers believe that it is Generation X, which has been heavily influenced by television, that is most susceptible to advertising.
Self-reliant, pristine, self-conscious children have grown up to be tech-savvy adults who choose to make choices based on their own experiences. At the same time, family ties are weakening: The boom in divorce occurred in this generation.
In the process of maturation X, modern technologies appeared. They actively use email and have an account on at least one social network. X has successfully mastered online shopping but prefers to enjoy shopping in shopping centers. 85% of people from generation X admitted that discounts are a decisive factor for them when choosing a product.
Main features of Generation X:
Determination to work hard without taking the initiative. They fear dismissal because they are uncertain about the future and fear uncertainty. X's work is not for pleasure and self-realization, but for stability, money, and career growth, which often causes internal burnout.
Importance of family well-being. In addition to the education and career that many of them have built from scratch, family well-being is important to X. They are reluctant to spend money on their needs, preferring to help their children and parents. Because of this, it is difficult for them to save money for retirement and they have to be content with government payments.
Excellent technical skills. It was they who gave rise to the development of many modern technologies.
Clear division between work and personal life. Because the time factor is more expensive for them than finances.
Chasing stability. They honor their time and finances. They are reserved, practical, and weigh the pros and cons for a long time before making a decision.
Career stability. Most X choose one or two areas of activity and develop in them for the rest of their lives. Going through a long chain from a sales manager to a director of a company is about them.
In short, this category of people most often has a large arsenal of knowledge and experience in solving complex problems and many other positive qualities. However, they need to be motivated financially periodically, as well as through the career ladder.

Generation Y or Millennials (1981-1996)

Unlike their parents, millennials consider living a "homework-home" scenario not a pleasant stability, but a destructive routine. When choosing a company, millennials attach importance to corporate culture. They have a genuine interest in ensuring that their values coincide with those of the future employer. At the same time, Y representatives do not like to start their careers from the very bottom and consider any place of work to be a temporary stage that allows them to gain valuable experience and skills.
Distinctive features:
Desire for immediate gratification. For most of their adult life, mom and dad tried to provide everything they needed, and they, in turn, did not need to make any effort to do this.
Importance of profitable acquaintances. They believe that connections with the right people will play a more significant role in their professional future than a portfolio and resume.
Value experiences over material possessions. Because of this, they often choose hobbies over financial stability. The main motivator for millennials is not money, but the ability to spend time with benefits.
High dependence on smartphones and social networks. This is the first generation of people who cannot live without social networks.
A craving for a healthy lifestyle and fitness. However, in most cases, this remains only at the level of talk.
More interest in remote work. Millennials are often more focused on results rather than time spent working. A flexible schedule allows them to build a work-life balance, so more and more companies are offering their employees the opportunity to work from home. 65% of managers said that millennials are more productive at home than in the office.

Generation Z or Zoomers (1997-2012)

Most of Z-ers have been glued to gadgets since birth, and by adolescence, they spend most of their time in virtual reality. It was during their growing up that they did not know the difficulties, because in the 2000s the most favorable conditions were created for the economy.
Distinctive features:
Advanced technological skills. More than 90% of people use smartphones as the main communication tool, preferring social networks to phone calls. Most often, representatives of this generation choose Instagram and Snapchat as their main platforms for communication with friends and reading news.
Focus on career growth. People born after 2000 choose to work in a specific specialty, so most of them receive professional education.
The tendency to change the scope of activities. The development of technology and the media allows Z to master new professions and leave what they do not like at any time. They are easy to train and constantly increase their skills.
Social interaction. Often, due to constant communication on the network, generation Z-ers do not know how to behave in society and build close emotional ties. Also, the habit of communicating with a large number of people makes Z a part of many social groups at once, which helps them adapt to a new environment quickly.
Striving for high wages. Most people from this generation are ambitious and motivated to make big money. They do not accept low wages, so most of them have an extra income.
Individual approach to work. Generation Z's work methods often differ from those of their older colleagues. They are used to working at their own pace and appreciate the opportunity to be flexible and creative.
In conclusion, Generation Z is a generation of digital natives who are more focused on developing their careers and maintaining personal well-being. Their skills and abilities reflect the needs of today's technological world, and their flexible and adaptive approach to work and life makes them valuable members of the workforce.

Generation Alpha (2013 - 2025)

Generation Alpha is the most modern and youngest generation. These children were born at the height of technological progress, and for them, the digital world is an integral part of life. They do not know the world without the Internet and modern gadgets, which radically changes their approach to education, work, and communication.
Distinctive features:
Digital literacy from an early age. Generation Alpha, unlike their predecessors, begins to get acquainted with gadgets almost from birth. They grow up surrounded by smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices, and therefore learn how to use them from an early age. The ability to interact with digital technologies has become as natural for them as learning to speak and walk.
Multitasking as a way of life. Alphas are used to doing several things at the same time. They can play, watch a video, and chat with friends online all at the same time. Such multitasking can affect their ability to focus on one task for a long time, but at the same time, it teaches them to quickly switch between different activities.
The impact of social networks on identity formation. Social networks have become a key factor in shaping the identity of Generation Alpha. They get most of their information from online sources and use platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to express themselves, communicate with others, and form their opinions.
Interest in distance learning and online courses. This generation will grow up in an era where traditional education is increasingly moving online. They will be much more used to learning from a distance and self-education through online resources. This will require educators to adapt their teaching methods to new technologies and platforms.
High level of consumerism. Growing up surrounded by advertising and a variety of goods, Generation Alpha has a high level of consumerism. They are used to getting what they want quickly and are more demanding of products and services.
Environmental awareness. Despite their high level of consumerism, Generation Alpha is growing up in an era of awareness of environmental issues. Many of them are already aware of environmental problems and are concerned about the future of the planet. This will affect their consumption habits and interest in sustainable development.
Generation Alpha is still very young, and many of their traits and values will only become apparent over time. However, already now, it can be said that they will be a generation highly integrated into the digital world, requiring a new approach to education, work, and social interaction.