Generations

February 27, 2023
Twenge (Generation Me), a professor of psychology at San Diego State University, takes a fascinating look at the six generations currently living in the U.S.: silents (born between 1925 and 1945), boomers (1946–1964), Gen X (1965–1979), millennials (1980–1994), Gen Z (1995–2012), and those she calls polars, also known as Generation Alpha (born after 2013). “Silents” is a misnomer, according to Twenge, since this group initiated the sweeping social changes typically associated with boomers. As a small cohort sandwiched between two larger ones, Gen X is the low-key middle child of generations. Millennials, born in an era of reliable birth control and legal abortion, were the most planned and wanted generation to date. Their self-confidence translates into higher expectations, which sometime turns into self-entitlement. More racially and ethnically diverse than previous generations, Gen Z “is also bringing an unprecedented amount of attention to diversity in gender identity and sexual orientation,” while polars are coming of age in an era defined by extreme political polarization and the threat of climate change. Twenge paints a well-rounded portrait of each generation and makes a convincing argument that technological advancements have led to “accelerating individualism” and a slowdown in the “developmental trajectory” of younger Americans. It’s an informative and insightful study of the dynamics at play in U.S. society today.

March 15, 2023
Twenge, a professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, presents a picture of the United States amid the interwoven lives of six generations of people: the Silents, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and those born after 2012 (generation yet unnamed). She researched 24 long-running government surveys which included 39 million people, with her results offering a unique way to understand history. She dedicates one chapter to each of the generations and highlights an identifying event for each, such as the Great Depression, September 11, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The book also discusses the impact of technology ranging from television and airplanes to birth control and social media. By holistically studying how these events and advancements affected each generation's attitudes and traits, Twenge provides a glimpse into the future, included in her final chapter. The book features lists and charts on detailed data like popular names, birth rates, pop culture, education, social attitudes and more. Readers will enjoy its conversational style, and the book will appeal to a wide audience, notably those interested in intergenerational impacts.

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