It’s a changing world, and with it comes three highly labeled sets of age groupings full of contrasting life experiences. This brings both friction and fascination that can only be described as history in the making.
If you’re news savvy, you’ve undoubtedly heard the term “millennials.” And chances are you’ve heard the terms “Baby Boomers” and “Generation X.” These are the big three when it comes to generation gaps.
Whereas millennials were raised with a computer mouse or smartphone in hand, many Boomers didn’t even grow up with cable television. And Xers grew up with an MTV that actually played music videos all day long. But that’s just the beginning.
Here’s what you need to know to be generation savvy.
Baby Boomers
When you think of the quintessential, hardworking “nine-to-fiver,” the term Baby Boomer comes to mind. Born between the years of 1946 and 1964, this generation lived by the work ethic so many miss and respect.
And don’t dismiss these guys as six feet under. The Baby Boomer Headquarters (BBHQ) says that the United States is home to 75 million boomers. That’s nearly 29 percent of Americans.
But why the term “Baby Boomers"? This appropriate name was chosen because of the large numbers of babies born after WWII. In this period, the nation’s population grew by leaps and bounds.
That said, the boomers truly gained fame in the sixties. The oldest boomers lived through the hippie era of free love first hand. In fact, many of these golden oldies have stories that would knock your socks off. As teenagers, they were much more likely than prior generations to have experimented with psychedelic drugs and ample amounts of pot.
They also fought wars and saw both the demise and resurgence of patriotism. Not only did many boomers fight in Vietnam, but they also voted for presidents like Ronald Reagan.
In this day and age, boomers have gotten our attention with truly unique retirement styles. They don’t want to sit and watch the world go by. Many of these forward thinkers still work, and active retirement styles filled with overseas voyages and fitness adventures are a part of many boomers’ lives.
However, boomers often frown on modern life in the making. While many are Internet savvy, they don’t live for that next social media fix. Instead, they’ll thoughtfully surf Facebook with genuine attention as to what’s going on in the lives of those they know. And chances are, those folks are really their friends, as opposed to simple faces in a world of meaningless status updates.
Lowering the Health Boom
While boomers have likely shed their liberal drug use by this stage in life, that doesn't mean they're in perfect health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that those who were aged 55-64 in 2002 had slightly lower rates of diabetes, hypertension and obesity. However, people in that age group in 2013 reported an 11 percent increase in high cholesterol – and that included those who take medication to regulate cholesterol and hypertension. People aged 55-64 in 2013 reported far more mental distress – including stress, depression and anxiety. That may be a result of falling healthcare coverage in this age group, a serious problem as they age further.
Generation X
Born sometime between the years 1965 and 1984, “Generation X” refers to the children and teenagers of the '80s. These guys were “the kids of America,” watching the American dream unfold through memorable moments like Michael Jackson’s famous Moonwalk dance. They played Atari at home and geeked out on original Pac-Man machines in crowded mall arcades.
And don’t let the middle-aged demeanor of the average Xer fool you. Remember the defiant “goths” of the eighties? These well-known slackers jammed out to bands like Yaz and the Violent Femmes while hiding behind a goth-like persona.
Other Xers prepped it out with Polo shirts and rolled jeans while taking in the “pop culture” phenomenon. This generation was a part of the rise of MTV -- when MTV was a simple video network helmed by VJs like Martha Quinn, Nina Blackwood and Mark Goodman.
Another thing that Xers saw and experienced was the end of the Cold War. They saw the Reagan era from the perspective of young, free-thinking individuals or wide-eyed children. In other words, the Cold War was a thing of the past, replaced by a quest for world freedom.
These days, Xers are anything but slackers. A rebellious, youthful nature has given way to dedicated middle-aged work standards. In fact, many Xers will tell you they have a problem with the way millennials operate in the workplace. That’s because they were raised to believe that respect comes from the time you put in. And what annoys them most is that millennials are now the talk of the town -- replacing Gen X’s media attention.
Generation Xers also have financial issues. In fact, some of them are still paying off massive student debts. This puts a dent in retirement savings. With the end of Social Security in possible sight, they’re scared about how they’re going to support themselves years down the road.
Older Xers are also struggling to adjust to modern life in the workplace. While they’re definitely Internet savvy, they don’t understand why time-tested honor has given way to the “me me me” values of the millennials. They feel that time spent in the workplace should equate to status instead of circus tricks often performed by more knowledgeable young people. And they’re still trying to understand how they went from up-and-coming to the next-best thing.
X Marks the Healthy Spot
Generation Xers may be the healthiest of the three groups. This is the generation that grew up in the era of "just say no" to drugs and alcohol, and those lessons have carried on.
There were fewer indoor options to entertain Generation Xers, so they're used to seeking recreation outside. This was the generation of kids who rode bikes around the neighborhood until the street lights came on. A MetLife survey found that 87 percent of Gen Xers considered themselves in "very good" health. Nearly 60 percent incorporate exercise into their lives.
But they also experience common issues related to middle age, like obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Stressors like taking care of aging parents and saving for children's education may take a toll on Gen X's health as well.
Millennials
Young, hip and maybe even hipster...that’s the rising star generation known as the “Millennials.” And watch out -- they’re fierce when it comes to just how modern life works.
Millennials were born between the years of 1984 and 2004, though some use different dates to define this generation. Concepts like shared workspaces and telecommuting are common among this crew.
Interestingly, millennials are the first adult generation to have never known a technology-free society. This means they’ve never had to deal with youthful boredom faced by other generations. As kids, they could surf the 'net and jam out to just about any high-tech video game imaginable.
In addition, millennials can tell you just how social media works -- and why. In other words, they have defined it. That’s why millennials are some of the best Internet marketers known to man.
Here’s the thing: Millennials don’t like labels. In fact, Pew Research Center says that only 40 percent of adults between the ages of 18 and 34 identify with the term millennials in general. And 33 percent of older millennials prefer to be associated with Xers.
Generally speaking, millennials are also more open-minded than other generations. Previously controversial issues like homosexuality are not disputed. They’re accepting and understanding of diversity.
Millennials are also said to value meaning in the workplace more than viewing a job as just that. They want substance over style. Plus, meetings can take place anywhere. Video chatting for an office engagement is a normal thing. Having multiple careers in one life is also often expected, unlike boomers, who were raised with corporate loyalty in mind.
The Kids Aren't All Right
When it comes to health issues, millennials may face issues related to a sedentary lifestyle, like obesity, heart disease and diabetes. In fact, the Mayo Clinic says one in three is considered obese. As they see advances in previously incurable diseases, like HIV/AIDS, they may be lax in protecting against such maladies. This is also a depressed generation – 23 percent take antidepressant medication. Fortunately, the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, allows people to stay on their parents' health insurance up to age 26.