Geography and the
Generation Gap
Cultural Components
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Land
Language
Beliefs and Institutions
Technology
People
Generational Group
• People born in the same general time life span who share key life
experiences, attitudes, perspectives, economics, social and
demographic experiences, historical events, public heroes,
entertainment etc Renae Hoffman Walker
• Old Adage:
– People resemble their “times" more than they resemble their
parents
GI Generation
1901-1924
ages 83-106
• Higher standard of living than parents
• “G.I.” government issue
• Though out their life the federal
government has directed and
supported the GI Generation with
new programs and departments.
• “Doers” and “believers”
• Automobile
• Pearl Harbor
War Babies
1920-1945
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ages 62-87
Childhood of economic hardship and struggle
Authoritative and overprotective parents
Buzz words: sacrifice, loyalty, duty, patriotism
Conformity was the key to job success
Could live comfortably
on one income
Act properly, follow rules
Ration books
War Babies
1920-1945
ages 62-87
Baby Boomers
1946-1959
ages 48-61
•Who shot JR?
•Where’s the beef?
•Rotary phones
•Plaid is main color in school photo
•Bell bottoms, granny dresses, hip huggers, hot pants,
and polyester!
•The Beatles on Ed Sullivan
•Still won’t swim because of the movie Jaws
Baby Boomers
1946-1959
ages 48-61
• VCR costs $2000
Generation X
1960-1979
ages 28-47
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Knew how to run a microwave &VCR
Dressed in “grunge”
Danced to punk rock and hip hop
Billy Idol, Nirvana, U-2, Madonna, Bon Jovi
Phrase: “Like…whatever!”
Very different from War Babies and Boomers
40% in single parent households
“Nation at Risk” in test scores & youth crime
Struggle to find their identity
Adapt well to change, quick learners, clever
Born in the information age; comfortable with technology
Generation X
1960-1979
ages 28-47
Generation Y
1980-1999
ages 8-27
• Described as the smartest, cleverest, healthiest, most
civic minded group
• Technical know how; most tech-savvy generation ever
• Focused on goals
• Self-confident, self-starters, might be somewhat self
absorbed
• Confident about the future; very optimistic
• Computers, e-mail, cell phones, i-pods, MP3’s, DVD’s
• High rate of volunteerism
• Want immediate answers and feedback
Generation Y
1980-1999
ages 8-27
Game Boy Micro
Futuristic Generation
Born after 2000
• World Peace will require good leadership and
communication.
• Advances in technology bring people in the world closer
and closer.
• Multi-sensual media, intelligent robots, and transport
methods far beyond earth
• World hunger and poverty need to be addressed as the
population jumps from 5.5 million to 11 billion by 2050
• Environmental issues
• Nuclear threat
What will the future hold?
Artifact Pictures
• 1910
• Kodak Brownie camera, about 1910
historyforkids.utah.gov/.../photos/history.html
• One 1928 magazine advertisement states, "After
smoking, have a stick of Black Jack! The licorice in this
quality gum soothes the throat and freshens the
mouth. The world's most popular licorice flavored gum."
• Trading stamps are small paper coupons
given to customers by merchants. These
stamps have no value individually, but when a
customer saves up a certain number of them,
they can be exchanged with the trading stamp
company for other merchandise.