We love to criticize each other’s generations.
Boomers are selfish. Millennials are entitled. Gen Z is fragile.
And Gen X? We’re pretty much awesome. All the time.
But how much of these stereotypes are made up, and how much holds up under real research?
Inquiring minds need to know. That’s why I tracked down
, Ph.D, whose new book Generations is a must-read for anyone interested in an entertaining, science-backed look at what actually separates Silents, Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and Alphas.
Twenge is a professor of psychology at San Diego State University and the author of more than 180 scientific papers and several books based on her research into generational change.
Basically, she is a Generations Guru.
Oh, and did I mention she’s a bankbook-carrying member of Gen X?
Twenge says it’s not just world events and cultural shifts that shape each generation. It’s the tech we’re surrounded by. Boomers had TV. Gen X had PCs. Millennials had smartphones, and on it goes…
I hope you check out our whole conversation, but in the meantime, here are a few sneak peeks to whet your appetite.
On Silents
They followed the rules, married young, had big families — and according to Twenge, they were “the happiest generation” from a mental health perspective.
“Their mental health was actually the best out of all generations,” Twenge says. “Even though they bore the brunt of the pandemic in terms of deaths and hospitalizations, they had the fewest days of reported poor mental health.”
This is my mom’s and pop’s generation. I can’t argue.
On Boomers
They challenged authority, fought for civil rights, gave the middle finger to the man—and then became the man.
“They were willing to talk about anything in a way their parents weren’t,” Twenge says. “That openness is a core Boomer value.”
They were also a little selfish, IMHO.
On Gen X
We were raised to be independent, told to “be yourself,” and taught not to trust anyone who looked like Gordon Gecko.
“A lot of Gen Xers had this feeling that the good times were behind us,” Twenge told me. We really started to see that lack of trust in each other and lack of trust in government, in the media… even in science and the medical establishment. So I think that’s where the reputation for cynicism comes in.”
We’re not cynical. We’re just tired of being right.
On Millenials
They grew up being told they were special, encouraged to follow their dreams, and promised that anything was possible. Then the Great Recession hit.
“They had extremely high expectations,” Twenge says. “But how could those expectations possibly be fulfilled?”
Well, at least they gave us avocado toast.
On Gen Z
They were born online, the first digital natives, and continue to be shaped by algorithms, front-facing cameras, and TikTok. The universe is on their screen, but they’re still asking for limits.
“They didn’t start off optimistic, the way Millennials did,” she says.
So, hide their phones and hug your kid today!
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