Can we truly understand another generation?

I often heard terms like Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, etc, used in everyday conversations, especially by younger people. To be honest, I did not know much about these terms or pay much attention to them. One day, out of curiosity, I decided to look into them.

I discovered that these labels refer to groups of people born within a span of roughly 15 to 18 years. Each of these periods, or generations, is associated with similar social trends, value systems, technology, culture and other characteristics unique to that period of time. Baby Boomers were people born between 1946 and 1964. They grew up in the post-World War II period and witnessed significant political unrest, as well as economic and social change.

Gen X, born between 1965 and 1980, served as a bridge between the traditional world of their parents and the digital world of their children. Similarly, all the other generations had their own unique trends and changes that defined them, whether Millennials, Gen Z or the latest one, Gen Alpha.

I also found that these categorisations originated in the United States and later spread throughout the world because of social media, technology and globalisation.

As I explored these generations, I began to wonder whether these labels were truly meaningful. To find out, I conducted an informal survey targeting both older and younger adults. It was interesting to note that most people over sixty saw these groups as stereotypes that failed to recognise individuality. Some felt it made more sense to divide time into broad periods such as the World War era, the age of computers, mobile phones and AI, or even into decades such as the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The younger generation, however, was more accepting of these labels. There was a general consensus that grouping people into different generations was important. It helped explain how people from one generation differed from those of another with respect to education, technology, lifestyle and social values.

According to these labels, I would be classified as Gen X. Looking back, some of the major events that influenced my life were the war with Pakistan, the Emergency period and the assassination of our then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. I also witnessed the arrival of computers, cable television and later smartphones.

Life seemed simpler, yet it was also a period of rapid social and technological change. I remember the excitement of watching television and the thrill of flying for the first time. The impact of those experiences shaped my value system and influenced the person I am today.

However, the main question is whether these categorisations are meaningful and useful in helping us understand people better. Do the events and changes people experience during their formative years help shape their outlook on life? As parents, can we truly comprehend the experiences and struggles our children face today?

Can we appreciate the pressures of social media, the demands of a rapidly changing world and the emotional stresses they encounter daily? As we counsel and advise them based on our own experiences, are we helping them or unintentionally adding to their struggles? Can we truly stand in their shoes and see the world through their eyes?

Maybe these labels are worthwhile after all. They not only define generations but also offer a glimpse into the world that shaped them. If they help us better understand the experiences, pressures and struggles faced by our children, they may also encourage us to listen more and judge less quickly. Only then can we truly appreciate the challenges faced by each generation.

The writer is an educator based in the US and the author of children’s books; Views presented are personal.