Generational Cohorts:
1. The Greatest Generation (GI Generation): 1901–1927
* Key Characteristics: This generation lived through the Great Depression and fought in World War II. They are known for their sense of civic duty, patriotism, hard work, and resilience. They value tradition, personal responsibility, and thriftiness.
* Historical Context: World Wars, the Great Depression, rapid industrialization.
* Core Values: Duty, honor, courage, discipline, loyalty, perseverance.
2. The Silent Generation: 1928–1945
* Key Characteristics: Grew up during the Great Depression and World War II. They are generally seen as conforming, hardworking, and cautious. They value stability, security, and a strong work ethic.
* Historical Context: Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War.
* Core Values: Conformity, stability, loyalty, respect for authority, hard work.
3. Baby Boom Generation: 1946–1964
* Key Characteristics: A large generation born after World War II. They are associated with the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the rise of counterculture. They often value achievement, optimism, and individualism.
* Historical Context: Post-WWII prosperity, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War.
* Core Values: Optimism, individualism, achievement, competition, work ethic.
4. Generation X: 1965–1980
* Key Characteristics: Often called the "latchkey generation," as many grew up with both parents working. They are seen as independent, resourceful, pragmatic, and sometimes skeptical. They witnessed the rise of technology, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the AIDS crisis.
* Historical Context: The rise of technology, the end of the Cold War, the AIDS crisis.
* Core Values: Independence, resourcefulness, pragmatism, skepticism, informality.
5. Millennial Generation or Generation Y: 1981–1996
* Key Characteristics: Grew up with the internet and digital technology. They are often seen as confident, tech-savvy, collaborative, and socially conscious. They value experiences, diversity, and work-life balance.
* Historical Context: The rise of the internet, 9/11, the Great Recession, social media.
* Core Values: Tech-savviness, collaboration, social consciousness, work-life balance, experiences.
6. Generation Z or iGen: 1997–2010
* Key Characteristics: Digital natives who have never known a world without the internet and smartphones. They are considered to be diverse, socially aware, entrepreneurial, and pragmatic. They value authenticity, flexibility, and social justice.
* Historical Context: The rise of social media, the 2008 financial crisis, increased focus on mental health, climate change concerns.
* Core Values: Authenticity, diversity, social justice, flexibility, technology, entrepreneurship.
7. Generation Alpha: 2010-2024
* Key Characteristics: The children of Millennials, they are the first generation to have been born entirely in the 21st century. They are growing up with even more advanced technologies, particularly AI. They are very diverse, digitally fluent, and highly influenced by social media.
* Historical Context: The rise of AI, the COVID-19 pandemic, rapid globalization, social justice movements.
* Core Values: Digital fluency, inclusivity, personalization, environmental consciousness.