the generational gap the generation gap and its affect on our future PEARL ROGERS
When you think of retro, you often think of events, concepts and trends of the past. Things that have usually been experienced by our parents and grandparents. These events and ideas -beyond those of clothing and hairdosoften affect a person’s economic, political, social and moral beliefs and interests. Such ideals are what define a generation, and the differentiation of such groups can be seen over time. Quite often, in the rush to understand a certain generation, harsh generalisations are made. Known as ‘Traditionalists’, the oldest generation (over 74 years of age) are known for their respectability, frugal nature, and adherence to rules and conformity. The ‘Baby Boomers’ can be competitive, work-focused and organised, and are older than 56. At the age of over 40, Gen X are described as self-sufficient, straight forward and cynical. Tolerant, social and holders of high expectations are the over 18’s, the Millennials. And, finally, we arrive at the youngest of the generations, Gen Z, the under 18’s who are characterized by their independence, short attention spans and incredible technological ability. Now this all may sound like a huge assumption, comparable to horoscopes and astrology, but while these characteristics are assumed stereotypes, they still remain useful due to their causation. These qualities are far from arbitrary and have become common within a generation due to environmental factors such as war, protest, resource availability and technological advancement. For example, due to growing up in the great depression, Traditionalists are less likely to spend money superfluously and Millennials and Gen Z are more conscious about social issues due to being raised in a world surrounded by the media. 010
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