by Jonathan A. Ward

Gen X, Gen Y, Gen Z? What’s that all about? Now generations of Americans are designated as Gen X, Gen Y, Gen Z amongst other labels. Some of these monikers were dubbed by social scientists, observing and sometimes making vast generalizations. I initially thought that these designations were about when a group was born; well it’s that, but it mainly designates when a group lives their prime years and thus influences world events. This list is speculative — dates are slightly dissimilar on different internet sites; lines blur and some events occur over a period of time intersecting different generations. My guesstimate prime years below starts when the oldest born into a generation reaches 21-years old and ends when the youngest born in a group turns 40. Thus, my guesstimate prime years for a generation sometimes overlaps another group’s.

BABY BOOMERS: YEARS BORN 1946 -1964 (prime years: 1967 – 2004). Named Boomers because after World Ward II the nation experienced a baby boom as couples embraced “make love, not war.” Some of the good: Space travel—landing on the Moon; era of drastic social change. Some of the bad: Vietnam War. Some Inventions: ATM’s, birth control pills, microwave ovens. The music: Rock-n-Roll, Disco on LP’s, 8-track and cassette tapes. Boomer quote: The Baby Boom has spawned an even bigger Grandma Boom. For every baby born, two women turn into grandmas. ~ Mary Margaret McBride

GEN. X: BORN BETWEEN 1965 -1979 (prime years: 1986 – 2019). Named Gen X because the X originally referred to a generation unconcerned by societal pressures. Some of the good: Cold war’s end. Some of the bad: AIDs. Some inventions: Internet, space shuttles, personal computers, cable TV, mobile phones. The music: Pop, Grunge, Hip-Hop, Rap on cassettes and compact discs. Gen X quote: So I simply don’t buy the concept of “Generation X” as the “lost generation.” I see too many good kids out there, kids who are ready and willing to do the right thing, just as Jack was. Their distractions are greater, though. There’s no more simple life with simple choices for the young. ~ Johnny Cash

GEN. Y OR MILLENNIALS: BORN BETWEEN 1980 – 1994 (prime years: 2001 – 2034).

Labeled Y because: Y follows X and Millennials because this generation hit their prime in the new millennium. Some of the good: Internet boom. Some of the bad: 9/11; Iraq/Afghan War. Inventions: smartphones, streaming entertainment, apps. The music: Streaming all kinds. Gen Y quote:You’re talking about a younger generation, Generation Y, whose interpersonal communication skills are different from Generation X. The younger generation is more comfortable saying something through a digital mechanism than even face to face. ~ Erik Qualman

GEN. Z: BORN BETWEEN 1995 – 2012 (prime years: 2015 – 2052) Named because Z follows X and Y. Some of the good: Online search engines and social media boom. The bad: Great Recession, Covid-19. Some inventions: “Smart” TVs; Viagra; selfies. Music: Online streaming of all genres. Gen Z quote: Why isn’t your camera on? ~ Anonymous

GEN. ALPHA: BORN BETWEEN 2013 – 2025 (prime years: 2034 – 2065) Why “Alpha?” After Z there was nowhere to go except to the first Greek letter. The near future is theirs. Gen Alpha quote: Why did the Gen Alpha kid bring a ladder to school? Because he heard the WiFi was on the roof! – Anonymous

GEN. BETA: BORN 2025 till sometime in the future. Good luck and God’s Speed to Gen Beta. Gen Beta quote: It’s official, a new generation has already begun to be born. Officially named “Generation Beta,” the babies born starting in 2025 will mark the beginning of a new cohort, predicted to grow up immersed in artificial intelligence while tackling societal challenges. ~ Andréa Oldereide and Lei RV