Describe the Traditionalist Generation.  What social, economic, and political issues affected this generation?

Describe the Baby Boomer Generation.  What social, economic, and political issues affected this generation?

Describe Generation X.  What social, economic, and political issues affected this generation?

Describe the Millennial/Generation Y Generation.  What social, economic, and political issues affected this generation?

Describe Generation Z.  What social, economic, and political issues affected this generation?

In your opinion, how and why do critical events affect different generations?

 

Discussion on Overview of the Generations

All the disclosed facts regarding generation Y are actual. Digital native is a suitable name for the generation. The generation has grown under the strong impact of modern technology and the internet. They can rarely survive comfortably without the internet. They tend to perform nearly all operations on the internet. For instance, generation Y mainly socializes through social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, among other networks (Sweet & Swayze, 2017). Even at a tender age, the generation is addicted to laptops and smartphones. Unlike different generations, generation Y knows how to manage technology better.

The generation seems unsatisfied by the majority of the employment opportunities they meet. They always need a good work-life balance with solid diversity policies and flexible working hours. If employed, the generation rarely meets the set targets. The most common source of underperformance is constant addiction to social media, even when attending to critical tasks. Most managers, especially from other generations, have difficulties working with individuals from age Y. the generation prioritizes their expectations and needs over the organization's expectations from them (Kayton, 2018). Hence, managers struggle to find the right staff with a dedication to work amongst generation Y. most generation Y is self-centered, demanding everything to operate as they want. They care most about themselves more than others. That is why even at workplaces, generation Y needs a more comfortable and flexible work environment. The generation cares less about the state's political events. That is proof of its political disconnection. They have less contribution to political views since so long as they are comfortable, nothing more bothers them. Hence, personal learning and development are more vital for the generation above financial rewards.

Overview of the Generations

Traditionalist Generation

            According to Walker (2018), the traditionalist generation, also known as the silent generation or veterans, is the oldest active generation regarding the workforce. The silent era was born between 1925 and 1945. Currently, traditionalists have an age range of between 79 years and 96 years. Most of them are retirees or employees still contributing to organizations to re-entering the workforce. The veterans Americans possess 75% of the US wealth (Kayton, 2018). Besides, they are the executive leaders of some of the US's most established and influential companies. The traditionalist generation the Great Depression that occurred in the 1930s. The group played a significant role in making the US military and economic power. The Traditionalist generation is known for task orientation, teamwork, patriotism, and doing much with less. They emphasized following guidelines, respecting authority, and adhering to the rules of conduct. The employees of the traditional generation kept the organizations’ founding beliefs and goals. However, their leaders set the tone of the culture and the business's strategic direction (Sweet & Swayze, 2017). In American history, the silent generation is the first true innovator known for designing the current space programs, inventing designs for various illnesses like whooping cough, polio, tetanus, tuberculosis. Besides, they founded the modern-day technological environment. The silent generation was the first to seek equality through the Civil Rights Movement. There are social, economic, and political factors that affect the silent era.

Social, economic, and political factors

            The Traditionalist generation grew during the Second World War and the time of the Great Depression. The age thrived in a society with male dominance. Besides, the males were more superior and influential in a family context and work life. The era had conservatism and conformity, which were highly valued. Hence, the males had more access to education than the females. Families had the males employed while the females took care of homes leading to economic imbalance. Since the country was recovering from the effects of the war, the US government valued men as the primary agent of change since most of the women were assuming the mothering role in boosting the state population.

Baby Boomer Generation

            The baby boomer generation existed at the end of the Second World War after the world had experienced high death rates as an outcome of the war. In the united states, there was a total of 76million newborn babies between 1946 and 1964, which formed the basis for the name 'baby boom.' The generation rejected and redefined the traditional values. They were the wealthiest, most active, and most disposable income for apparel, food, and retirement programs (Pavlic et al., 2018). Baby boomer parents belonged to the silent generation. The baby boom resulted from several factors. For instance, people who wanted children had to wait until the end of the Second World War. Thus, from 1946 the Great Depression’s economic havoc had subsided. Hence, the soldiers were going home from war, purposely starting families to offer their children a better life. According to Newbold & Scott (2017), baby boomers are resourceful, self-assured, and goal-centric while valuing relationships. Currently, the youngest baby boomer is 57years old, while the oldest is about 75 years old. Examples of baby boomers include Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George Bush, and Bill Clinton, who has served as US presidents.

Social, economic, and political issues

            Social factors attributed to the baby boom were a popular culture supporting parenthood, glorifying marriage, and pregnancy after World War II. Besides, the soldiers had joined their families after the war. Therefore, the people decided to establish more families through marrying and giving birth. The government contributed to the baby boom by encouraging its people to increase numbers after losing populations in the war. Besides, the US Congress passed the G.I Bill of Rights, which offered the American veterans educational and economic chances, supporting them to pursue tertiary education and property ownership based on very low-interest rates on loans. The government also ensured a high urbanization rate and low living costs in all urban centers. Besides, the suburbs received the motivation to start families. Economically, the generation had unlimited access to credit. Hence, they could borrow to start businesses or invest and support their large families.

Generation X

            Generation X refers to the Americans born between the mid-1960s to early 1980s. It is also known as the 'middle child' generation since it comes after the baby boomer generation and heralds the millennial generation. Generation X tends to be forgotten or overlooked above other generations since it has the fewest population. The population thrived in a time dominated by dual-income families, single-parent households, and offspring of divorce, unlike baby boomers. Besides, generation X children had minimum adult supervision since school; the parents were still away in their respective workplaces. They became tech-savvy by growing up with personal computers. They are a flexible generation more educated than their parents. However, they encountered difficult economic times in the 1980s and 1990s while still children and young adults. According to Koksal (2019), generation X is independent, resourceful, and can maintain a work-life balance. Besides, they are more liberal regarding social matters. However, they are more ethnically diverse than baby boomers.

Social issues

            Since generation X had little time for interaction with their parents, their peers influenced their behavioral aspect. Besides, both parents attended to their work-life more than family life. The economic stability of the parents led to the pursuit of the sovereignty of the couples. Consequently, there was a high divorce rate resulting in single parenting. Single-parenting led to increased parenting with minimum supervision. Besides, hip-hop had a significant influence on the generation. Generation X was also addicted to the MTV video channel oriented towards the hip hop culture. Therefore, generation X values informality and independence.

Economic issues

            Generation X was a time dominated by women at diverse workplaces. Hence, it increased the number of both parents in employment. The economic stability of the parents led to the easier generation to access better education. Besides, the parents could support their children with anything that they wanted for fun and entertainment. Generation X generated a work-life trade-off culture that increased the generation's entrepreneurial tendency.  

Political issues

            Generation X was born when the US government had legalized abortion. Similarly, the government had also introduced birth control and recreational drugs. The era also had an increased emergence of women's rights. Since the generation was financially stable, they misused political privileges through excessive recreational drugs and too many sexual relations with birth controls. They also performed abortion of the unwanted pregnancy since the government had legalized the practice.

The Millennial/Generation Y Generation

            Generation Y, also known as the millennial generation, was born between the early 1980s to early 2000s. Millennials are known to be lazy, selfish with a high job turnover rate. They also have unrealistic work-life expectations. They also want more flexible work schedules. Generation Y is also more politically and civically disconnected yet more focused on materialistic values. Unlike other generations, millennials have little concern for the community around them. According to Worth (2017), the millennial emphasizes extrinsic values like image, fame, money with less regard on intrinsic aspects like community, group affiliation, and self-acceptance. Despite the negatives, millennials also have some positive aspects. For instance, they are more supportive regarding equal rights for the minority. They are also open-minded. Likewise, millennials are receptive to new ideas, liberal and expressive. Based on Koksal (2019), millennials are less sexually active than the other generations.

Social, economic, and political issues

            Socially, millennial behavior and attitudes are under the control of technological advancement. The generation is lazier in shifting from analog to more digitized operations, expecting technology to perform more of their task. They also do not want to struggle but need workplaces of comfort and less demanding. Hence, the internet has made them less dedicated to their work lives. Due to reasonable employment rate, the millennial are accessing unpredictable jobs market which bears an economic impact. Most of them are self-employed while others work part-time. However, the millennials have encountered the most significant falls in actual average earning during the 2008 recession. According to Ndanyiova & Da (2020), above 71% of people between 16-34 years are employed, while 5.7% of the population is unemployed. Likewise, 24.7% of the people are still students hence economically inactive. US promotion of media literacy has affected the millennials through accessing any media, giving them a chance to stay online to access any content anywhere.

Generation Z

            Generation Z refers to the people born between the mid-1990s to early 2010. It is the first generation that landed into a fully digital world. They have thrived in a time dominated by online shopping and social media. Generation Z uses an additional device while watching television. The generation also accesses products and brands on various platforms in their shopping life. According to Dimock (2019), generation Z is analytical and intelligent in its decision-making processes. Besides, they can trust anyone with their brand if they can deliver their desired taste and preferences. Since generation Z is aware of what they want, they expect the internet to know. Unlike other generations, generation Z emphasizes social issues because of having wide-ranging and diverse connections globally as enabled by the internet.

Social factors

            Generation Z was born online. It has affected all their demands. For instance, they consider online identity as authentic self-expression. The availability of advanced technology has led the generation to socialize and make friends with people they have never physically met. Many aspects that tend to influence the generation are online-based. According to Dimock (2019), 40% of generation Z pursues their desired brands seen on social media. A lot of trust in online platforms has made a substantial number of the generation engage in purely online social movements. Besides, online connectivity has enabled the generation to mingle with people from diverse economic backgrounds in connecting and mobilizing around interests and causes.

Economic factors

            Generation Z's shopping lifestyle is online-centered. Their smartness enables them to go for the best quality ever. They have a keen sense of inauthentic practices. Thus, any brand compromising its real nature cannot go unnoticed by the generation. They can quickly reveal such acts to ensure that businesses ensure trustworthy and valid practices. The growth of e-commerce has therefore favored the age. For instance, they can compare products from various online shopping websites and go for the best option. Besides, delivery is guaranteed. Such principles have affected marketers in understanding customers’ demands. Online honest and loyal brands dedicated to their principles deserve the generation’s loyalty.

Political factors

            Following the covid 19 pandemics, the US government initiated safety measures, encouraging more online shopping. The regulation was after minimizing the spread of the coronavirus. The law had a positive impact on the generation. Shifting work and businesses online rendered the age more comfortable than ever. Besides, they managed to harness the internet power to organizing, entertaining, and incorporating it into other people's lives.

In your opinion, how and why do critical events affect different generations?

            Prevailing critical events have a significant impact on all the generations. They dictate the culture, behavior, and people's lifestyle. Therefore, people must adjust to the changes in their environment.  For instance, growing in a fully digitized world affects generation z by doing everything about the internet. Similarly, the war outcomes forced the emergence of baby boomers. However, the succeeding age had declined birth rates.