Consequences of Generational Stereotypes

So, what is so terrible about the mistake of branding a whole generation with characteristics that are related to everyone who ages and changes? Well, there are two things worth mentioning here. First, the things we say can be hurtfully inaccurate. Second, there are consequences to the ever-spreading negative stereotypes being ascribed to the generations. Most people would agree that these are not things we want to knowingly do to others, because we would not want them done to us.

Some of the things being said by Baby Boomers and those in Generation X about the next generation are things they didn’t like being said about them. This is bothersome because, at best, stating as a sort of fact, “Millennials are lazy, unproductive, self-obsessed, entitled, snowflakes” or “Baby Boomers are greedy, insensitive and arrogant.” are just hasty generalizations based on biased observation of unrepresentative samples. Whatever kernel of truth may exist within these statements, is lost in the carelessness and wide-reaching breadth of its scope. Truth be told, we need not throw at others that which we would not like being thrown at us. Rather, let’s be a little innovative in our communication and recognize over time that all people can grow, learn and adapt.

Some of the other potential consequences of this mistake are common to many stereotypes. You see, we make choices and judgements regarding people everyday, and if we believe something about the entire generation in which a person has been born then we can make very bad judgments and choices. Should I hire them? Are they a good fit on my team? Do I respect them? Can I trust them to get the job done? Should I invite them? Will they understand me? Please, let it not be said of the generations living today, that choices we made about people were a result of the false stereotypes we believed about each other.

Characteristics of Permanence

So, the characteristics being ascribed to generations that are factors related to aging should be separated from those things that won’t change. Stating that one fears for the future of humanity, because Millennials are lazy and lack focus, is pointless, because those are really age-related characteristics that could be attributed to a level of legitimate immaturity; a lack of training or being challenged harder, and discovering how focused or hard one can really work. This will change over time. These accusations can also be unfair and mean spirited. That being said, there are characteristics that have permanence; characteristics born of common or uncommon conditions in ones surrounding environment that may not change over time.

Baby boomers, in general, were raised by adults who were children of the depression. The depression shaped the children who lived though it in ways that resulted in specific child rearing realities. These characteristics have permanence; they may never change, because they are so deeply rooted in their very existence.

Again, in general, the kids who lived through the depression have grown old with characteristics specific to that generation. Laziness was not one of them. If you were lazy during the depression, you would starve. What can we assume might be the characteristics of a generation who grew up in abject poverty and constant fear of poverty, illness and starvation? You see, these are the characteristics that are fair (and perhaps helpful for conversation and deeper understanding) to attach to generations.

What, for example, is it like to grow up in a world in which 9/11 happened before you were born, and what characteristics of permanence can come from this? What was it like to be a young teenager during the sexual revolution and anti-war demonstrations, with front page headlines showing the total number of Americans killed in the Vietnam War? I was a newspaper delivery boy, and saw those headlines day after day, week after week. I recall the US flags on my street hung by the parents of young men and women who would never come home. What characteristics of permanence did my generation end up being branded with as a result?

What Shall We Fear in the Next Generation?

Honestly, fearing for the future, because of current age-related dynamics that are common to growing up and old, and that will actually change in the future, is useless. Fearing the characteristics of permanence born of shared experiences like disasters, terrorism, wars, poverty, and genocide (among others) are the ones to fear and talk about. It has been said that in Germany, after World War I, there existed the environment of a missing generation.

You see, millions and millions of German men and women were killed in the first World War, and their children were raised with a missing generation; a generation that would have taught them their culture, their religion, their life lessons, their ethics and their history. Instead, an entire generation was left in a vacuum of leadership, the country basically aged without enough fathers and mothers. This vacuum was the environment that created a generation hungry and desperate for a leader, a god, a savior... and as the National Socialist German Workers' (Nazi) Party rose to power and offered a twisted solution to fill the vacuum, this generation was in their fighting prime. This is one thing to fear; leaders that fill the voids left by tragedy and poverty.

What We All Want

By the time the future arrives, people will have changed those things changeable. There are far more important things to worry about than whether young humans will mature and become hard-working, focused and dedicated. They will! Or, whether older people will still want learn, take risks, be innovative, adaptable and respectful. They will! These are things we all want to be.

We all want to be secure, have a little excitement and risk in our lives, be admired and loved, and contribute to our world community and family. These are the things we all want, and these are also characteristics which do not change from generation to generation.

What can you think of that was a generation-shaping event? What have you heard people ascribe to a generation? How about your generation?

If you haven't already, feel free to read the first part of this two-part series by clicking on the link below.

https://steemit.com/life/@coinae-vance/generational-stereotypes-ironically-an-error-made-each-generation-part-i