I attended a workshop offered by NC State during one of our annual Extension conferences that stirred my thoughts. The facilitator gave definitions of each generation and a broad description of the people associated with each. This kind of exercise is beneficial for opening our minds to identify commonalities between generations, learning to embrace differences, and encouraging mutual respect.

Today, four generations comprise the workforce. A generation starts with a birth rate increase and ends when the rate declines. Within generations, commonality is related to social or historical events that define and create cohesiveness in perspectives, attitudes, values, and assumptions.

I work with five generations of people: 4-H volunteers, co-workers at home and across the state, and five to eighteen-year-old 4-H participants. I must avoid stereotyping to be effective. The thought-provoking workshop encouraged me to look beyond generational labels. I now want to provoke others to consider what I am still learning and practicing. I find this study fascinating as there are many indications that generational experiences affect thoughts, values, and behaviors.

“SMH”, (shorthand for “Shaking My Head”) is a text talk initialism that suggests a gesture expressing disbelief or disappointment. How many times a week do you find yourself doing this to those younger or older than you? This topic is serious because stereotypes can significantly influence the quality of human interaction. It is not hard to find information on this subject, and the Pew Research Center has been an invaluable resource for providing accurate and insightful generation descriptions. This is not an exact science but only a tool to provide insight. Here are generalities about the generations I most often encounter in my profession.

The Baby Boomer generation, born between 1946 and 1964, includes over seventy million people. With your youngest members now in their sixties, many of whom are retired or retiring, contributing to a workforce gap. You pioneered the free expression movement and ignited the civil rights crusade that continues today. You experienced political unrest with assassinations that left a lasting impact, contributing to widespread cynicism, distrust of political institutions, and commitment among many to push for social and political reforms. Television was the dominant form of media, and you witnessed the moon landing live. You celebrated Woodstock as a symbol of countercultural and artistic freedom that had a lasting influence on music and culture. Hard work and resilience characterize your generation’s legacy.

Generation X is the small generation born between 1965 and 1980. This is my cohort. Our caregivers fought in the Vietnam War. We experienced Watergate and the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion. Many of our moms entered the workforce as women’s equality marched forward and we became “latchkey kids.” Our childhoods were spent outdoors, but we were the first home gamers with the invention of the Atari 2600 gaming console. Personal computers came into our homes, and the World Wide Web eventually followed. This changed education forever as computers entered most schools. Traditional marriage was still the norm, happening soon after formal education ended. Today, we are between 44 and 59 years old.

The Millennial Generation (“Y”) was born between 1981 and 1996. You were between 5 and 20 years old when the Twin Towers were attacked. You were between 12 and 27 when the first black president was elected. Your demographics are more racially and ethnically diverse than any previous generation. School violence became a source of common concern with the Columbine massacre. When you entered the workforce, there was an economic recession.

Your generation is characterized by coming of age in the new millennium and the internet explosion. You are waiting longer to get married. Today, you are between 28 and 44 years old.

If you were born after 1996, you are most commonly known as Generation Z. You are even more racially and ethnically diverse than the millennials. You are known for your mental health awareness and activism. Cell phones have been standard as long as you have been old enough to use one. This is the beginning of constant connectivity and on-demand entertainment, contributing to a unique global perspective. You could be as old as twenty-eight today.

The youngest generation is Gen Alpha. You were born in 2013 through today. You’re likely into technology and are screen and online-savvy. The launch of the iPad, Instagram, and widespread smartphone use, alongside the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, have significantly shaped your early life and social development. The effects of that isolation are being experienced and studied by educators, parents, and medical professionals.

How we communicate is influenced by stereotypical ideas of each other. So, Boomers are not mean, and Gen Zs or Alphas are not simply lazy. I think in many ways, they are simply misunderstood. This community service announcement aims to share an idea of “different but the same,” to understand the generations as a whole, recognize that members of those generations have a unique story, and bridge the gap between generations. Classifying gives us an awareness so we can empathize with each other. With awareness, one can better understand the previous generation and how their life experiences help to shape the next iteration. With understanding, we can be compassionate teachers and guides, helping those younger than us navigate an ever changing world while respecting and better understanding the experiences that have shaped our older generations.

Pam Kerley serves as the 4-H Program Assistant at the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Lee County Center. 4-H is a positive youth development program that offers a wide range of activities to fit various interests, backgrounds, budgets, and schedules. In Lee County, 4-H provides opportunities for youth through in-school programs, after-school activities, clubs, and camps, welcoming all children eager to have fun, learn, and grow. In North Carolina, 4-H is powered by NC State Cooperative Extension and NC A&T University, bringing expert knowledge, resources, and practical tools to enrich daily life and support community well-being.

This is a reprint of the article in the Sanford Herald on November 9, 2024.