The differences between generations are interesting to compare, and sometimes the results can be surprising. These differences are of interest to researchers; differences in values and norms have changed in different periods of time. To compare the two generations, baby boomers and millennials were taken as a basis since the differences between them are quite striking. Baby boomers is a term used to refer to individuals born between 1946 and 1964. Millennial is a term used to refer to people born between 1982 and 2004. Although baby boomers and millennials are the two largest generations ever born, they differ over many key issues.
The baby boomer generation began shortly after the end of World War II in 1945, and the world has seen a significant increase in the birth rate. Baby boomers are independent and confident because they grew up in turbulent times in history. One of the most noticeable factors distinguishing millennials from baby boomers is millennials’ massive use of technology (Beheshti). Boomers value stability and practicality, and modern technologies are alien to them because they are something new, unknown and in which they do not have much confidence. Baby boomers are competitive and very interested in career growth. Boomers need a lot of time to make decisions because they have great restraint and practicality. Baby boomers are responsible only for themselves; their high working capacity allows them to move up the career ladder and improve more effectively. Women of the baby boomer generation often showed themselves as mothers and wives instead of paying maximum attention to their careers.
Millennials can easily relate to changes in life, at work, in personal relationships and in other areas of life. They were born in a simple time, which influenced their perception of the world and events (CBS News). For the most part, they are optimists and actively interact with people who can help them succeed. Millennials are characterized by a calm attitude towards representatives of other races, nationalities, sexual minorities, etc. (Taylor). They are easy to change jobs, are in no hurry to start a family. In the millennial generation, women are increasingly pursuing educational and career goals. Millennials are also the most educated generation in the history of the West, and many people have bachelor’s, master’s, and professional qualifications (Bialik and Fry). As a result, the demand for private education has sharply increased in a short period. Learning about millennials happens quickly, but it changes just as generations change (Goldblatt). Teachers strive to ensure that students like what they read.
In conclusion, baby boomers are children raised by ideological patriots. However, most of them did not inherit their values. Independent, non-spoiled children who know how to take care of themselves have grown into tech-savvy adults who prefer to make choices based on their own experiences. A sharp change in the country’s course taught them to rely only on themselves and quickly rebuild. The millennial generation relies on themselves, not on state institutions; they easily accept new things but do not seek to start a family. Despite being focused on career development, they do not want to sacrifice their identity for it. From these differences, it can be concluded that there is a big gap between these two generations, which can be smoothed out by transferring the valuable experience of their age to each other.
Works Cited
Beheshti, Naz. “The Clash of The Baby Boomers and Millennials: How Can We All Get Along?”Forbes, 2018.
Bialik, Kristen, and Fry, Richard. “Millennial Life: How Young Adulthood Today Compares with Prior Generations.”Pew Research Center, 2019.
CBS News. “The “Millennials” Are Coming.” 2007.
Goldblatt, Mark. “From A to F. Why College Kids Fail English.” Post opinion.
Taylor, Stephanie. “5 Major Differences Between the Lives of Millennials and Baby Boomers.” Insider, 2019.