Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z…all terminology we use that have so much meaning behind them. Did you know the different generations do not just refer to your age and the time you grew up, but also categorize you into groupings of people who will share specific values compared to others based on your collective life experience? At McGregor, we value the care we give to our residents and learning about the events in their lives that have shaped them. With so many seniors living in multigenerational housing today, learning about the differences between each generation can help create a cohesive and happier household.
BABY BOOMERS
The Baby Boomer generation is 1946 to 1964. Being born right after World War II and after America came out of the Great Depression has impact on this generation. The term Baby Boomer comes from the boom in babies born after World War II. With parents focused on saving money their whole life, the baby boomers grew up in a time of economic security for the most part, making them notoriously known as the “Me” generation. This highly individualized generation has redefined traditional ways of life from their parents’ generation (“Traditionalists” or “The Silent Generation”). Boomers experienced prosperous financial situations and social revolution with the civil rights movement. Today, they make up about 28% of the population.
GENERATION X
Generation X born from 1965 to about 1979/80. GenX is most notable as the first generation to have the majority of double income households, with both parents in the workforce. As GenX grew up, they experienced events that made an impact, like the end of the cold war, being the first Latchkey kids, and the working mother coming to popularity, thus shaping this generation to be highly independent and driven.
MILLENNIALS
The millennial generation is notorious for being labeled selfish by the news. The truth is that Millennials have grown up at the same time as technology has been developing. Millennials were born from1980 to 1994. Events that shaped their lives have been 9/11, the recession of 2008, and technology’s growth and integration into society. They are also the first generation with more women earning bachelor degrees than men. Millennials are typically confident and tech-savvy.
GENERATION Z
Generation Z is the latest generation to make its debut into the adult world. With its members born between 1996 and 2010, there is still a lot to be discovered about this generation. One thing that has been determined is that GenZ is set to be the most educated yet loneliest and depressed generation. The aftermath of 9/11 had an effect on their lives, never knowing the country without war. Undoubtedly, the shaping event of this generation is the Covid-19 pandemic, witnessing economic, social, and personal tragedies as they come into their teen and adult lives. As time goes on, researchers will be able to see how this will affect them.
McGregor currently serves five generations throughout the organization, staff and residents alike, beginning with the Silent Generation, which precedes the Baby Boomers and is generally defined as people born from 1928-1945. We always appreciate the varying perspectives and look forward to the next to come: Gen A, the Alpha Generation, born after 2010, adding one more ingredient to our own “alphabet soup”!
