Generation X vs. Generation Y (Pt.1)

This is the first part in a series of posts on “Generation X vs Generation Y”.

‘Generation X’ … not a term I’ve used since Billy Idol starting strutting his stuff on ‘Top of the Pops’ in the mid-Eighties.

‘Generation X’ is more than ‘our Billy’ though, it is a term used to describe the ‘Baby Boomers’ born in the late 40’s to mid 60’s. In the US alone there are an estimated 76 million Baby Boomers with extensive political, cultural, economical, and social influence, not just in the US.

Fast forward to now, and we have ‘Generation Y’ to contend with. ‘Generation Y’ (or ‘Millenials’, or ‘Generation Next’ is bigger, better informed, more influential, more aware, more politically active, and possibly more economically stable that any generation that has gone before … and are fully prepared to use their clout to get what they want.

Rebecca Thorman says, of the gap/rift between these two generations;

“Both generations have similarities. Technological savvy and the willingness to rebel against boomer norms brought us together for a short time. But as more of Generation Y enters the workplace, Generation X is becoming increasingly marginalised, and the fundamental differences of how we operate are now dividing us along fierce lines.”

When looking into the differences, and the ability for ‘Generation X’ and ‘Generation Y’ to work together, it is clear that “Generation Y doesn’t come empty-handed to the workplace. They bring expert-level computer skills and entrepreneurial drive, but they also expect to be compensated … they’re coming out of college with high (some would say unrealistic) expectations for job responsibility and advancement.” While Generation Y is eager and willing, ‘Generation X’, on the other hand, is a much more entrepreneurial and individualistic group.

” ‘Generation X’ says ‘I’ll be on the team, but let me do my piece’. And then ‘Generation Y’ is saying, ‘Sure, I want to do this by myself and by the way, who can I get to help me?’ “