Step aside, Baby Boomers...the Millennials are coming. They're going to change the world, maybe more than we did. And like every generation, they're going about it in a unique style.
The world already knows the Boomers. Born between 1946 and 1964, we were the largest living cohort in history, peaking at 78.8 million in 1999. But now we're down to 74.9 million...the Millennials have passed us with 75.3 million on their way to 81.1 million. (Click here to see the Pew Research Report.)
Boomers were promised "The American Dream" and worked hard to achieve it. In fact, we came a generation of workaholics, seeking prestige and possessions. We grew up competitive and ambitious. We struggled for work-life balance, and as a result have the highest divorce rate in history. We are also the generation of optimists, believing we could "make a difference" and that anything was possible. We challenged authority, rebelled against convention, and crusaded for causes. We're nervous about retirement because our identity has been tied in with our careers...and we were also hit very, very hard by the Recession, with little time to recover. Many of us will continue to work out of necessity.
Who are the Millennials? Formerly called "Generation Y," they were born between 1982-2004. (Some folks move the date range up or back a few years.) They may be our children or our grandchildren, and they have become the most coddled and indulged generation ever: Everyone gets a trophy, so no one's feelings are hurt. They're growing up busy, with scheduled activities instead of playing on their own. They're social and see themselves as citizens of the world. They're flexible, tolerant, embrace diversity, and open to new ideas. They're ambitious and good workers, as well as avid consumers. Work-life balance is a priority; they're engaged at work, but out the door promptly at 5 pm. They are champions for the virtual office, job sharing, and sabbaticals. They want to be entrepreneurs. They'll want to retire early and maybe switch careers.
See the difference? Wait, there's more!
- Technology: This seems obvious, especially when you consider that the BIG advancement in technology for Boomers was the microwave. We've adapted to the constant changes and have become savvy about computers, gadgets, and apps. We shop and bank online with ease. But we're no match for the generation that has never been without the Internet. Millennials live and breath technology. It's an integral part of who they are.
- Travel: Boomers love to travel! We tend to go alone, with a partner or friend, or in a tour group. We like cities, with their culture and dining. Millennials enjoy traveling places in large groups. They have a difficult time "going off the grid" because they can't imagine being without their smartphones. And what else? Boomers are still coddling these kids--we pay to take them with us on family vacations.
- Sex: Our hippie "free love" days left us with an average of almost twelve sexual partners. Millennials average about eight. What's interesting is that they are more liberal about casual sex and marrying later than Boomers. They just aren't hooking up as often as their elders. They are also much more accepting of same-sex relationships. When we were teens and young adults, only 21% of us were fine with gay couples--now it's 56%.
Of course, these descriptions are generalizations--but I didn't make them up. They come from smart sociologists and researchers. Still, we can agree that Boomers shouldn't be surprised that our brilliance is fading and a new star is shining bright. We rejected our parents' lifestyles and now it's our turn. Millennials will say the same thing someday: "Those young people! I just don't understand them. What is the world coming to???"
Demographics fascinate me. too. I'm a pre-boomer. Only a person who was not there would refer to us as "silent," however.
Posted by: Hattie | 06/15/2015 at 08:27 PM
I'm mad about color. Have you noticed that as people age they want colors to be brighter? It could be cataract. My sister had a cataract operation and reports to me that colors are vivid in a way she had forgotten about and the the whites are really white.
Posted by: Hattie | 06/19/2015 at 11:17 PM