Generation Y and the Millennials

Generation Y and the Millennials... Sounds kind of like an 70's band doesn't it??

Maybe the opening band for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers? :)

Just Kidding!

I've been doing some research about the different generations and how they characterize each of us. Basically the idea behind the generations is how old you were when a large historical event happened (WWII, Kennedy Assassination, Watergate, Vietnam, 9/11 etc). They believe that is what causes generations, and in turn, causes how we deal with life.

The majority of people living today are one of the following generations:

• The Silent Generation (1925-1942)
• The Baby Boomers (1943-1960)
• Generation X (1961-1981)
• The Millennial Generation, also known as Generation Y (1981-2004)
• The Homeland Generation (2005-Present)

Now, I personally, am part of The Millennial Generation-- Born smack dab in the middle, 1991. And I'm Damn proud of it!!


(http://blog.k12.com/category/tags/transform)
It's actually pretty interesting. They say that my generation is the time in history when children were treated once again as "special". At the time when the generation was starting an emphasis was put on the welfare of children. Everyone starting care a heck of a lot more about how you raised your children, and the "No Child Left Behind Act" was instituted.

Anyways, because of the special attention put on us when we were born, this in turn, made our primary focus in life parenting. Now, we don't have the over abounding urge to have 10 kids like the boomers did, but in a poll, many Millennials said that being a better parent was more important than focusing on your marriage.

Other characteristics of this generation, is that we are hesitant to take risks, or indulge in risky behavior, and we have extremely close relationships in our family. (Which is the opposite of The Silent Generation and Generation X.)

It is also said, that the only generation in the last 100 years that was born into a similar time was the G.I. Generation (Those born 1901-1924). Based off of the Strauss-Howe Generational Theory both generations are said to be of the "hero" characteristic.

"Hero generations are born after an Awakening, during a time of individual pragmatism, self-reliance, and laissez faire. Heroes grow up as increasingly protected post-Awakening children, come of age as team-oriented young optimists during a Crisis, emerge as energetic, overly-confident midlifers, and age into politically powerful elders attacked by another Awakening.^{" http://www.lifecourse.com/about/method/generational-archetypes.html}


Here it talks about "An Awakening". In present time the most recent awakening was the early 2000's, we experienced 9/11, a new war, and an economic downturn. During this time, my generation was at the age where it shaped who we were to become. Unlike the generation before us (GenX) who had been shaped in the late 70's and early 80's.

I don't know, I totally just rambled on about all of that, but I find it fascinating! The explanation of the events in the time help me to explain why people in my life act how they act. Why they have the views on topics that they do. Like my grandparents, who are part of the Silent Generation. It is said that they were so aloof with their families, but at the same time, they were the youngest generation to become parents. Which explains why my grandparents to this day are so hesitant with me, or anyone else for the matter, starting a life, or getting married.

Thanks for reading my ramble! I feel like a Million Bucks right now! Like I have all my family members figured out! --Which I obviously do not! (But let's let me think I do for a minute!)

Alrighty Y'all!
Have a LOVELY night!!
-Gabbi