Each age group or generation has certain attributes and characteristics. The differences are not just important, they’re significant. Access to and use of technology, pre-Title IX, post-Title IX, the internet, gender roles – there are so many differences and experiences. In looking at female concussions, it’s important to look at each generation differently. For instance, there’s much variation in communication styles, cultural frame of reference common to each age group, gender role expectations and assumptions, and life experience for the time in which women were teenagers and young adults. Everything matters. A one-size-fits-all approach does not work. This post provides an overview of the different generations and unique characteristics of each.
- Greatest Generation
- Silent Generation
- Baby Boomers
- Generation Jones
- Generation X
- Millennials
- Generation Z
It’s difficult to find any one definitive source of information regarding specific years for any one generation. Therefore, I’ve listed several sources: the US Census, Pew Research, and a White House study.
GI Generation – Greatest Generation
The Greatest Generation participated in World War II. The term “Greatest Generation” was created by journalist Tom Brokaw.
Birth years: 1901 – 1926
Decade: 40s
Age in 2016: mostly deceased
Silent Generation
The Silents includes those born between the Greatest Generation and the Baby Boomers. This generation lived during the Great Depression. They were very frugal, having experienced much hardship. Some also experienced the Dust Bowl. From what I’ve been able to ascertain, this is called the Silent Generation because it was a time when “children were seen but not heard” and the McCarthy investigations resulted in people keeping thoughts to themselves. World War II was during this time period. Silents were children at the time.
Birth years: 1928 – 1945 (White House and Pew Research)
Decade: 50s
Age in 2016: 88 and older
Notable figures born in this timeframe: Martin Luther King, Jr., Gloria Steinem, the Beatles, Bob Dylan
Baby Boomers
Of course everyone knows of the boomers. Once World War II was over, there was a baby boom. This is the group that came of age in the 1960s and enacted much social change. Much of the advances made for women’s rights, civil rights, the environment, and more are because of the advocacy work completed by boomers. Because of their numbers, they influence every phase of life upon arriving to it, like a wave that comes and changes everything. Now most boomers are of retirement age. Birth years listed below go through 1964, although there’s been a different designation for what’s called Generation Jones.
Birth years:
- 1945 – 1964 (White House)
- 1946 – 1964 (Pew Research)
Decade: 60s
Age in 2016: 52 – 71
Title IX: The boomers made this happen.
Technology while growing up: landline phones (one per household), pre-computer, pre-internet, pre-email, TV with only three channels
Employment: primarily homemakers, with a small number working in a limited number of professions considered to be female, such as teachers, nurses, and secretaries
Parent’s generation: Greatest Generation
Generation Jones
While often thought to be part of the boomers generation, this group has recently gained more focus on its own. This is the generation of which I am part. People in this generation were young and in school during the 60s. They weren’t part of any of the demonstrations and changes of the 60s, but benefited from some of those changes. The boomers paved the way and Generation Jones was the first subsequent generation to travel down the new path. During their teen years, they saw many demonstrations and actions regarding women’s rights. In popular culture, TV shows like the Mary Tyler Moore show showed career women for the first time, Ms. Magazine launched, and the song I Am Woman was heard frequently. Career options were few and were mainly considered to be typically female. I recall options being homemaker, nurse, teacher, stewardess, or secretary. Those were the labels at the time. Sports had not yet gained prominence – with one exception. Billie Jean King elevated women’s sports to the forefront with the Battle of the Sexes tennis match.
Birth years: 1954 – 1965
Decade: 70s
Age in 2016: 51 – 62
Title IX: No effect. Passed in 1972, when this age group was in their teens.
Previous generation of women: primarily homemakers, with some working in a limited number of professions considered to be female, such as teachers, nurses, secretaries, and stewardesses
Parent’s generation: Silents
Technology while growing up: landline phones (one per household), pre-computer, pre-internet, pre-email, TV with only three channels
Employment: Women in this age group began attending college in higher numbers and subsequently joined the workforce in varied occupations.
Popular culture: Mary Tyler Moore Show, Working Girl movie
Generation X
The “X” signifies that this group is undefined. Those in Gen X are children of baby boomers. Parents divorced in many instances. Both parents were likely to have worked outside of the home, so Gen X kids cared for themselves after school and before their parents arrived home from work. They’ve been referred to as “latchkey kids.” Gen X is independent in nature and generally delayed marriage until later in their twenties. Divorce rates are high among Gen X.
Birth years: 1965-1980 (White House and Pew Research)
Decade: 80s
Age in 2016: 36 – 51
Title IX: Law passes during this time (1972) and organized women’s sports begin in the late 70s. [1]
Parent’s generation: Baby boomers
Employment: Women in this age group have higher rates of employment than women experienced in 1975. They began having a presence in more professions.
Millennials
These are your digital natives. They’ve used computers and technology for much of their lives. In some ways, millennials have been compared to older generations. Later millennials are currently of college age.
Birth years
- 1982 – 2000 (Census Bureau)
- 1981 – 1997 (Pew Research)
- 1980 – 2004 (White House)
Decade: 90s – 00s
Title IX: women’s sports began to be added in sports programs and leagues
Employment: women are in more professions
Parent’s generation: Baby boomers, Generation Jones
Generation Z
Gen Z is online. That’s where you’ll find them. It’s all they know. More than any other generation, they’re digitally connected. This group has also been labeled as the Homeland Generation because they’ve grown up after 9/11. This age group is also having to grapple with safety concerns that previous generations did not experience. School lockdowns and increased violence in society are prime examples. Online bullying is an issue. Online privacy is an ongoing concern. They communicate via text message more than via phone calls. Everything they read is online. Libraries are shifting to being completely digital, with books being relegated to storage and rewiring occurring to accommodate the many electronics students now use. [2][3] When viewing materials online, attention spans are short. [4]
This will be the first generation where women and girls will be more integrated with society and working in most professions. It will be thought to be the norm more so than a new path to be forged as in earlier generations. Gen Z is also accustomed to more diversity and inclusion.
Generation Z is more frugal in nature and has been compared to the Silent generation for that reason. They saw the economic uncertainties and difficulties of their parents due to the 2008 -2009 recession and years afterward.
Birth years: 1996 – 2010
Decade: 10s
Previous generation of women: worked in varied professions, not just a few
Technology while growing up: all digital, everyone has a cell phone
Employment: Early Gen Z is now of college age. Late Gen Z is in school.
[1] “Timeline: A Brief History of Women’s Team Sports in America” pbs.org
[2] Marcene Robinson “UB reopens Silverman Library after two-year, $7 million renovation” buffalo.edu August 24, 2016
[3] Jay Tokasz “It’s goodbye, books, as UB library powers up for digital age” buffalonews.com August 25, 2016
[4] Alex Williams “Move Over, Millennials, Here Comes Generation Z” nytimes.com September 18, 2015
