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Throughout history, groups of individuals of similar ages have been exposed to life-changing national events and media influences that promote a strong shared meaning that shapes their lives. These events create a break in what is considered typical in the world, and challenge the way people form their particular worldview. As the meaning of these events is consolidated, people of the same generation may come to share common values, and large numbers of them may experience the world in similar ways. While they will exhibit differences, many who grew up in the same time period have a strong identification with their own "time in history" and may feel, think and act in similar ways based on the influences of that time.
The differences among people of different generations may be subtle or quite pronounced. The similarities among members of a generation are evident in the ways they live their lives, including their participation in the workforce. While generations are typically considered to be approximately 20 years in breadth, it is useful to consider differences within each of these time frames. The descriptions that follow in this article outline similarities and differences among the cohorts and include variations based on cohorts of about ten years. It should be noted that the concepts described here are limited to the United States and may not apply across all ethnic groups.
While it is unwise to make broad generalizations about the individuals in each generational cohort, people who are born in the same era have had common formative experiences that predisposed them to similar expectations. The information presented in this article, applied in any context, is best considered as hypotheses rather than employed as stereotypes.
There are four generations in the current work environment: The Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y.
The Silent Generation
Members of the Silent Generation form a relatively small generational cohort. During the formative years of these children, men were away at war and the lingering impact of the Great Depression resulted in smaller families. In general, children of this generation lived without significant turmoil or controversy. Those born in the 1930s have more conservative attitudes and, like their parents, are more likely to cling to tradition. However, rapid changes and...