The moniker of Millennial Generation stems from our compulsion to place a label on anything and everything. Getting organized appears to be one character trait Americans compelling. One writer even places "get organized" in the top 10 New Year's resolutions. While we may not always put things where they belong, we do seem to have this innate penchant to "tag and bag" or the need to classify and sort everything in sight.
This compulsion leads to dividing our existing population into age group brackets. When it comes to population segments, we make every attempt to identify cohorts with similar experiences, thinking, and principles. As such, it is not always easy to arrive at an adequate description and that description may change over the years as the experiences of that age band change or circumstances change.
In 2010, four currently existing population age groupings or eras have been identified:
The Silent Generation
This particular classification includes everyone born before 1946. While the number of individuals in this group is diminishing, this cohort includes folks that experienced the Great Depression as well as their children. This era also includes individuals that were members of the Armed Forces during World War I and World War II. First referred to as the GI generation in contrast with the political activism and anti-establishment focus of the Baby Boomers that followed, this title gave way to the current designation.
The Baby Boomers
Baby Boomers (better known as Boomers) were born during the period 1946 to 1964. Boomers are now experiencing their retirement years, bringing their large economic influence with them. While this group may be entering their golden age, it is not sitting idly by in the proverbial rocking chair. They are becoming active in their communities and using their resources to make life better for others whenever they can. This moniker originates with demographic changes during this era. Coomencing in 1946, there was an increase in the number of births until the popularity of birth control pills began having an implact on the birth rate..
Generation X
Originally given the title of the Baby Bust generation, this group followed the Baby Boomers. Finally putting to rest the title that identified them as the offspring of the Boomers, this age grouping was able to find its own rightful place in societal history. This cohort is age bracketed from 1985 to 1980 and tends to be educated entrepreneurial loners.
The Millennial Generation
The Millennial Generation could see their designation change over the years as circumstances and demographics change. This cohort gets its name from the fact that those individuals born during this period will not reach maturity until after the turn of the century. The terms Generations "Y", "Next", and "Net" are also common names previously assigned to this evolving group. While not everyone agrees on what years to ssign to this era, the consensus seems to be the years 1981 to 2000. The defining elements of this particular timeframe appear to be increased use and familiarity with all kinds of digital media sources and technologies. The group is the first to consider such behaviors like texting or tweeting as a part of everyday life rather than a digital innovation. To Millennials, social networking is just a way to further their search for understanding and meaning.
Individual members of the Millennial Generation are more likely to embrace and trust institutions than either the "Baby Boomers" or the "X" generations that preceded them when those groups were at the same age in their generational growth.
Each era has its own personality traits developed by impact of biological aging, unique historical circumstances in the earlier formative years of their time, and the affects of major events such as wars.
As with all other eras, the Millennial Generation will make its mark on society as it continues to mature and reacts to the day-to-day circumstances it must face.
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