The document discusses generational differences among Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials, focusing on their unique traits, influences, and cultural contexts. It outlines characteristics of each generation, particularly emphasizing Millennials' upbringing, self-esteem protection, and reliance on technology, along with their values towards achievement and relationships. The text highlights the need for understanding generational differences in communication and work styles.

1. Boomers, Xers and Millennials Michael W. Bridges, Ph.D.

2. Agenda A story The generations Why this information is important Boomer, Xers & Millennials

3. Millennial Generation 5/9/05 Fish is Fish (Lionni, 1970)

4. Cute story, but so what? We are all different A Person’s Influences her Relationship to parents Relationships View of the world View of authority Economic climate Patterns of communication Political climate Self-concept Social and cultural climate Behavior in the world Problem solving Risk taking Adaptability to challenges Ability to deal with conflict Millennial Generation 5/9/05

5. A Little Generational Theory Generation : a cohort group whose length approximates the span of a phase of a life and whose boundaries are fixed by peer personality Peer personality : a generational persona recognized and determined by common age, location, beliefs and behaviors and perceived membership in a common generation

6. Sequence of Cultural Cohorts (Generations) GI Generation (1901 - 1924) Silent Generation (1925 - 1942) Boomers (1943 - 1960) Generation X (1960 - 1981) Millennials (Generation Y; 1982 - 2004) Homeland? (2005 - ?)

7. Caveats Trends represent shifts in means. Still broad distributions in attitudes and behavior. Almost all data is US-based. Millennial Generation 5/9/05

8. Boomers 1943 - 1960 Large “ Me” Generation Self-discovery Personal fulfillment in work

9. Skit 1

10. Parents of boomers survived the depression

11. And WWII

12. Returned home….

13. And started having babies, lots of babies

14. Dr. Spock ushered a new era of parenting

15. TV played a big role in boomer’s lives

17. As did music… rock n roll

18. Boomers challenged most social, cultural and political institutions

20. There was the war in Vietnam

21. The civil rights movement

22. They were the most educated generation

23. They found fulfillment in their work and climbed the corporate ladder

24. Skit 2

25. Gen Xers 1964 - 1982 Independent Pragmatic Skeptical and disillusioned Commitment issue Flexible and comfortable with change

26. The pill affected the birth rate as Xers were being born

27. Birth rates dropped

28. Daycare became common place

29. As women went to work….

30. Latch-key kids were everywhere

31. The face of TV changed

32. So did the role of technology

33. There was political scandal

34. Fewer job opportunities for Xers

35. Their dominant feature is the value of their relationships

36. Millennial Facts (I) John Lennon, John Belushi, Grace Kelly and Bob Marley all died before they born. Balsamic vinegar has always been on shelves in the US. GPS satellite navigation has always been available. Rock and Roll has always been a force for social good. Paul Newman has always made salad dressing. Millennial Generation 5/9/05

37. Millennial Facts (2) A “45” is a handgun not a record with a large hole in the middle. Iced tea has always come in bottles and cans. Datsuns have never been made and IBM has never made typewriters. Stores have always had scanners at the checkout. Cars have always had rear window mounted brake lights, CD players and air bags. Millennial Generation 5/9/05

38. Millennial Facts (3) The Tonight Show has always been hosted by Jay Leno. College grads have always been able to Teach for America. The Kennedy tragedy was a plane crash, not an assassination. They’ve never lost anything in shag carpet. Their lifetime has always included AIDS. Millennial Generation 5/9/05

39. Millennial Facts (4) There have always been women on the Supreme Court. Peeps are not candies, they are your friends.. Never seen a first lady in a fur coat. There have always been charter school. Millennial Generation 5/9/05

40. Seven Core Traits Howe and Strauss (2000, 2003) Special Protected Team-oriented Achievement-oriented Pressured Confident Conventional

41. Skit 3

42. Millennials are viewed as Special Reasons: Family size, income Fertility issues and adoptions Large focus as a consumer market co-purchasing (parent’s money) Millennial Generation 5/9/05

45. Cultural shifts in how children are viewed

46. Millennials are Protected Millennial Generation 5/9/05

48. Protecting Self-Esteem! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSrnOZ2Za8

49. Millennials are Team-Oriented Millennial Generation 5/9/05

50. Millennials are Achievement-Oriented and Pressured Achievement Educational experiences focused on standardized achievement Obsessive preoccupation with performance Implications for risk-taking and fear of failure Dualistic perspective on the world The team Millennial Generation 5/9/05

51. Educational Experiences

52. Pressured: High expectations from parents High stakes consequences from standardized focus Highly scheduled lives Time management Daytimers in high school, time management classes Zero tolerance Millennial Generation 5/9/05

53. A Vision of Today’s Student http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o

54. Time Allocation More time Less Time School Free play (unorganized activ.) Chores TV watching Personal care Eating Travel/visiting Household conversations Organized sports Church Study/reading/homework Computer activities Millennial Generation 5/9/05

55. Some Data Millennial Generation 5/9/05 (Institute for Social Research, 1999 in Howe & Strauss, 2000)

56. Millennials are Confident Confident, trusting and optimistic Trusting of parents, the government. Respect authority Positive about the future Boast about their generation’s power and influence Millennial Generation 5/9/05

57. Millennials are Conventional More comfortable with parent’s values. Progressive on many social issues. Education that emphasizes basic human value, respect and accountability (aspects of ZT). See social rules as necessary (even though they may not like them) Represents a corrective response to negative object lessons. Millennial Generation 5/9/05

59. Behavior Trends 5/9/05 Millennial Generation

60. Other Realities

61. Additional Characteristics (1) Represent the largest cultural cohort Healthier and wealthier as a group, but… New struggles - ADD, ADHD, asthma, obesity Are the most racially/ethnically diverse cohort 1 in 5 has at least 1 non-native born parent (US Census, 2000)

62. Skit 4

63. Additional Characteristics (2) Native technologists Value volunteer work Think hard work is more important in achieving success than a lucky break Close relationships with parents (most admired) and grandparents (most trusted) Consulted and included in important decisions

64. Helicopter Parents http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5lkllhlzqY

65. So what about work? Different backgrounds and styles. Recognize differences. Understand where differences come from. Beware the fundamental attribution error.

66. More Information Howe, N. & Strauss W. (2000). Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation . Random House: New York. Howe, N. & Strauss W. (2003). Millennials Go to College . AACRAO & LifeCourse Assoc. : Great Falls. Nathan, R. (2005). My Freshman Year: What a Professor Learned by Becoming a Student. Cornell University Press: Ithaca. Sterns, P. (2003). Anxious Parents: A History of Modern Childrearing in America. New York University Press: New York. Strauss, W. & Howe, N. (1997). The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy. Broadway Books: New York.

67. What’s the take-home message