Family Views – August 2014

Every generation of children and parents have experienced some sort of grief based on generalized behavior and chosen parenting style. I imagine the Cave Dwelling Generation told their Hunting & Gathering Generation children that their Stone Age Generation children were doomed dreamers, wasting their time chiseling away, at what, a wheel? Certainly, they were destined to fail and send society rolling backwards!

I’ve always been fascinated with the stereotypes of generations and how they evolve over time. The key phrase here is how they evolve over time. I find it ironic, that if you research past generation characteristics the negative behaviors, or generational growing pains, are painted in a much more pleasing, positive, socially acceptable light.

Consider Early and Late Boomers,1945-1965. Born in the aftermath of WWII, came of age during the Vietnam era. This generation survived wars and conflicts, advanced civil rights, challenged social norms and traditions. They opened the door to individuality, and freedom of choice. All the while their Silent Generation parents and GI or Greatest Generation grandparents believed they were about sex, drugs and rock-n-roll.

What about Generation X, born 1965-1985, my generation? Our Boomer parents and Silent-Gen grandparents thought we were materialistic, selfish, lazy slackers who created really bad music! We were not expected to amount to much more than a drain society. However, many Gen-Xers picked up the torches their parents and grandparents left behind, determined to advance personal freedoms and the war on equality for all. Today we are considered highly educated, proponents of diversity, celebrate individuality and are extremely active within our communities.

Then there’s Generation Y, or the Millennial’s, who, most recently, came of age during 1995-2006. They are on the cusp of their negative to positive stereotype transition. Initially, criticized as the ADHD generation, who are vain because they invented the selfie, also considered lazy with a strong sense of entitlement, a short attention span and require constant praise. Despite any amount of truth in those stereotypes we are now starting to realize that they are the most technologically sophisticated generation in world history, they prefer working in teams, and no previous generation as ever been more environmentally aware, nor have they had as much trouble finding employment; unless you compare them to the GI or Greatest Generation, who survived the Great Depression.

We are currently raising Generation Z, born 1995-2012. Some of the stereotypes about our children include: they are spoiled, entitled, indulged, unimaginative, addicted to video games, require constant entertainment and instant gratification. With that said, consider this: based on history and similarities of economic and social environments of the past, sociologists suggest Gen-Z will share many characteristics with the Silent Generation, born 1925-1945.

Today the Silent Generation is known for unparalleled economic stability, wealth and scientific advancement. They were artistic and social innovators, with the courage to initiate the civil rights movement with such modesty it ultimately dubbed them the Silent Generation. They are not remembered or revered for elevating cigarette smoking to a high social status level, unethical experiments, or thought of negatively for questioning authority. What was considered errors or faults are now thought of as growing pains and have given way to their positive contributions.

The bottom line is negative generational generalizations are formulated before the children have a chance to mature and sculpt a social master piece out of the clay they have been given. They are navigating in a society that we, all generations of the past, have created for them; which we tend to view as unsatisfactory until it has passed.

To parents and observers I offer my own opinion and unsolicited advice:
Parents – Only you know your child’s strengths and weaknesses, what they are capable of, what motivates them and their breaking points. You know the history and connections behind every circumstance; therefore, you are the only person qualified to predict the outcome of a situation and it is you who will endure the consequences of your actions; not the observer. Consider the validity and the source of the observer; there is indeed a lifetime of knowledge and experience possibly being offered. But most importantly, continue to support, guide and discipline your children, with love.

Observers – Please keep in mind no one is perfect, most of us are doing the best we can with what we have. While your concerns may be valid, what you may witness and pass judgement on is a micro second on the parenting clock; which is inclusive of time that has passed and time to come. And generally speaking, based on historical precedence this generation will not only survive, but thrive in time.