Generational labels like millennials or GenXers have quickly become an all-consuming part of the cultural landscape, influencing perceptions, identities, and expectations for people of all ages. The Baby Boomers Generation born from 1946–1964. As such, they were the first generation to be given a label, a badge that has followed them throughout their lives. To be so labeled at birth is a relatively recent occurrence. The Baby Boomers created this trend.
Generation X starts in 1965 and ends in 1979. Canadian writer Douglas Coupland first used the term in the early 1990s as an anti-label label. Coupland’s fictional characterization of his generation became a cause célèbre. In parentheses to this, the nickname and recognition to the future labels that came in an alphabetized pattern.
As our society moved on, the idea of what made a generation evolved. In the past, we understood this idea from a strictly biological perspective. Now, it has deepened to a sociological awareness that respects cultural context, shared experience and a collective culture. This adjustment opens the door for a more complex understanding of generational identity—especially as the changing face of America remakes conventions and expectations of society.
Generation Y, also known as Millennials or Echo Boomers, are defined as those born between 1980 and 1994. Generation Z is next in line, including those born between 1995-2009. Generation Z has been most affected by their parents. Luckily, most of these parents are smart and tuned-in enough to equip their kids with a nuanced understanding of technology and its consequences. These parents set guardrails around technology use, providing a clear-eyed sense of the future that influences their children’s socialization and development.
With most of its members already in their seventies, the Baby Boomers are now entering their retirement years. Even after major social upheaval in American life, they have mostly held on to their title. Advocates, scientists and academics say that a 30-year time frame is too long to be labeled as one generation. This claim makes a powerful argument for the legitimacy of current labels, and whether they serve the needs of today’s society.
Generation Alpha is, quite literally, everyone born starting in 2010 through 2024. At the same time, Generation Beta will include everyone born from 2025 forward. These new labels are further proof that generational definitions are in a state of constant flux. They stress the value of knowing what diverse cultural experiences each age group is going through.
In Australia, the oldest of these generations is commonly called the Seniors, Veterans, or the Silent Generation. Such a labeling is a token of respect for what they have helped create. It recognizes the equal importance of understanding the unique challenges they face in today’s society.
The evolution of generational labels serves as a mirror reflecting societal changes over time. Each label has heavy implications that deprive people of agency over how they see themselves in relation to their larger cultures. As society changes, so will the nature and importance of these generational labels.
