Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1525817
Everything your generation classification has to say about you. Gen What? Think about your childhood and all the moments that helped shape who you are now. Those events and similar circumstances influenced other people in your age group, too! Seven different generations of people are still alive today. Most generational timelines span 15 years and are marked by sociocultural and historical happenings that impact the way generation members act, what they value, and how they respond to life's challenges. Follow along to explore each generation and how they're characterized—you may learn a little more about yourself and those around you. The Greatest Generation Born 1901–1927 Members of the Greatest Generation were children during World War I and the Great Depression, and fought in World War II. That's no small feat. Because they were surrounded by hardship and would literally walk to school barefoot in the snow, this generation tends to live modestly as frugal consumers and practical savers. Able to get through the tough stuff and persevere, they have a strong work ethic and are often described as patriotic and resilient. Famous Figures: • Billie Holiday, singer • Elizabeth II, former queen of the United Kingdom • Jackson Pollock, artist • Jackie Robinson, baseball player • Fannie Lou Hamer, activist The Silent Generation Born 1928–1945 Born to World War II–fighting parents, the Silent Generation came of age amid post-war prosperity. Also called "Traditionalists," they're characterized as cautious conformists. One of the most significant events that affected the attitudes of this group might be the era of McCarthyism and the Red Scare, which caused widespread fear of dissenting opinions or unusual behavior, as this could be seen as un-American. Too scared to rock the boat, they take comfort in working hard, moving up, and following the rules. Famous Figures: • Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights leader • Billie Jean King, tennis player • Marilyn Monroe, actress • Clint Eastwood, actor • Elvis Presley, singer Baby Boomers Born 1946–1964 After the end of World War II, birth rates spiked—it was a baby boom! Baby boomers grew up in a time of economic success, technological and medical innovation, and social change. Normally optimistic, team-oriented, defiant, and socially conscious, these are the people who protested the Vietnam War, started the Counterculture Movement, and fought for civil rights. As the second-largest generational group in U.S. history, baby boomers are credited for transforming the American landscape and values. Today, they continue to be as economically and politically dominant. Famous Figures: • Bill Gates, Microsoft founder • Michael Jordan, basketball player • George Clooney, actor • Cher, singer • Dolly Parton, singer 30 COMING HOME MAGAZINE