According to researchers, baby boomers are made up of individuals who are currently at the age of fifty-three and seventy-one. It is the population that ranges between the years 1946 to 1964. On the contrary, the Millenials are individuals who were born between the years 1980 to 2000. In most cases, the population that makes up the Millenials are children and grandchildren of the baby boomers. According to Sally Kane (2017), the generation of baby boomers became immensely larger than the traditionalists' generation primarily because of the increased number of children born during this time despite the decrease in marriages after the World War II. Compared to the boomers, the Millenials are categorized as the most professional set of the population probably due to the great and innovative ventures that are observed currently. Despite these findings, the baby boomers are relatively in comparison with the Millenials as compared to other generations in more than one way.
What generation are you?
Considering the requirements and elements of different generations, I qualify being categorized as a “baby boomer.” It is surprising but taking a closer look and analysis of the mentioned aspects of baby boomers like being a possible parent to a Millenials, am without a doubt one of them. On the other hand, many people consider Millenials to be more radical as compared to the preceding generations. While the boomers are categorized as outdated, we have a lot of elements that are similar to the generation Y. For instance, just like the Millenials, I am quite competitive, and this is a value that I have been able to identify the challenging activities that we engage in with friends like walking. Christopher Pappas (2016) reckons that baby boomers are high achievers and most of their successes are measured through the professional achievements. Unlike most generations, especially the Millenials, we have a sound work ethic and hence are in a position to inject extra hard work in our jobs. The element of desiring to be the best engages people of this generation to expound on their learning and sharpening the relevant skills required to deliver on their jobs. The nature o competing at the workplace relates well with Boomers and Millenials and in most cases is the reason as to why most boomers would maintain a job for longer years. In my case, I was able to keep my job in an Insurance Industry for sixteen years an achievement that most boomers accomplish.
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Do you agree or disagree with the description of your generation?
As mentioned earlier, I relate to the descriptions of baby boomers and hence agree to most of the identified characteristics noted. It appears that my son and I have a close relationship and comparison in features since I’ve been involved and always supportive of him. He went to college on the strength of accepting; it was not an option but an element of encouragement to his life. I remember him (Ronald) coming home from school, and he must have been in the third or fourth grade, and one of his classmates had told him that people of color do not play hockey. I affirmed that he could do anything that he wanted to do. In one of Tammy videos, she mentions that some “boomers” parents have gone as far as calling employers in regards to their child receiving a job; that is a bit much. My son was born in 1986, and I see he possess my work ethics. Since he started working, he has always worked with kids. (Buffalo Urban League, Joan Male, Native American Community, and now he is a school counselor) He has picked up my habits and loves organizing special events for the kids. I have always taught him to make eye contact with people when talking to them. Texting is his way of communicating for the majority of the time. When he does call me, I sometimes panic because it is out of the norm for him to call me. The close resemblance of Boomers to Millenials is what makes it easy for boomer parents to have a healthy relationship with their Millenials children. With the increase in the technology and innovations, boomers are observed to be involved and relatively active on the social networks just like the millennials and therefore are updated of the current trends and issues placing them in a position that creates an understanding between these two generations (Multiview, 2014).
What generation do you identify the most with?
About Kathryn Tuggle (2015), Baby Boomers are individuals who have worked hard to achieve what they have earned yet generation Y are considered to be people who were born with everything they needed on their table. Despite this difference, they are both high achievers, Millenials are always ready to break the rules to get what they need in life. On the other hand, boomers are high achievers who put more effort to reach their goals and desires. The fact that most Millenials are born with most of their requirements on the table it explains the idea that boomers are their parents or grandparents. Compared to other generations, boomers identify more with Generation Y. Asides from being achievers in their professional fields and being able to handle the developing technologies, these two generations do things to stand out and be winners, hence are able and in a position to relate because of the mentioned identities and more. In my case, I bond well with my son who has been my teacher in knowing more on texting and communicating using technological devices. Communication is made easier since we can text more rather than make calls. In addition to the use of texts, we make use of emails which necessitates the use of computers and make researches on the internet. Social life has become more interesting because despite distance people are still in a position to keep constant communication and in touch. My proficiency in using Facebook as one of the social media is thanks to my son who again showed me the way around it. With all these similarities it is clear that baby boomers are more identical to the Millenials generations more than to any other generation.
Our text stated that the baby boomers are the largest group in the workplace. There is about 44 percent of the United States workforce with 66 million workers. We do have a strong work ethic, excellent communication. People that I know have worked 25, 30 years on one job. The ability to maintain a proficient work ethic has developed boomers as independent fellows who are in a position to sustain their lives without any one’s help. Confidence is also a virtue that boomers portray in their daily lives same as Generation Y who have a strong sense of self-belief in themselves. The achieving spirit that baby boomers are considered to have is derived from the existences of both financial and educational opportunities as compared to its prior generations. Moreover, the self- actualization that most boomers possess was influenced by the rise of middle-class leading to the decrease in total submission to authorities and conformity to the expectations of the society that was observed during the traditionalist generation. While boomers would welcome challenges that influence their careers, Millenials go out of their way including breaking the rules to achieve their goals. Despite their competitive nature, the boomers find it difficult to adjust in any workplace or to possess a flexible career virtue. The primary reason as to why Boomers find it challenging to blend in a constantly changing working environment is the fact that they are used to a structure of hierarchies and ranks. Regardless of these shortcomings, boomers are intelligent, resourceful and go-getters (Cuffin, 2013).
Generation Y on the other hand, are considered self-centred individuals who believe that everything is a right and entitled to them. Moreover, the hard-headedness observed in the Millenials is explained as a result of being raised in a soft way. Compared to Boomers who were beaten up for the wrongs done Gen Y are punished with ‘time outs’ and being grounded; procedures that at times are defied.
Conclusions
Distinctions between the generations that have been in existence for the last two centuries have been influenced by many aspects of the environment. For example, the characteristics that baby boomers possess in maintaining their jobs through professional ethics are major because of being raised in a time of financial developments. Generational differences are also influenced by the changes in trends, development in the technology and rise of innovative ideas that place individuals in a position to learn and acquire more. As years pass by, it is observed that morality keeps depreciating with an increase in years primarily because of liberty that children are subjected to. Despite the influence of the generations, some traits are inherited hence the similarities that are observed between two distinct generations. Like in the case of boomers and generation Y who are in most instances children or grandchildren to boomers.
References
Cuffin, E. (2013, July). The 20 Differences Between The Baby Boomers And Generation-Y . Retrieved March 22, 2017, from elitedaily: http://elitedaily.com/life/the-20-differences-between-the-baby-boomers-and-generation-y/
Kane, S. (2017, February 22). How Baby Boomer Traits and Characteristics Affect the Workplace . Retrieved March 22, 2017, from The Balance: https://www.thebalance.com/baby-boomers-2164681
Multiview. (2014, October 7). Striking similarities: millennials and baby boomers . Retrieved March 22, 2017, from Multiview: https://www.multiview.com/resources/blog/why-marketers-need-to-pay-more-attention-to-what-millennials-and-baby-boomers-have-in-common/
Pappas, C. (2016, January 29). 8 Important Characteristics Of Baby Boomers eLearning Professionals Should Know . Retrieved March 22, 2017, from eLearning INDUSTRY : https://elearningindustry.com/8-important-characteristics-baby-boomers-elearning-professionals-know
