Geography and the Generation Gap

Cultural Components

• Land

• Language

• Beliefs and Institutions

• Technology

• People

Generational Group

• People born in the same general time life span who share key life experiences, attitudes, perspectives, economics, social and demographic experiences, historical events, public heroes, entertainment etc Renae Hoffman Walker

• Old Adage:– People resemble their “times" more than they resemble their

parents

GI Generation1901-1924

ages 83-106

• Higher standard of living than parents• “G.I.” government issue• Though out their life the federal

government has directed and

supported the GI Generation with

new programs and departments.• “Doers” and “believers”• Automobile• Pearl Harbor

War Babies1920-1945

ages 62-87

• Childhood of economic hardship and struggle• Authoritative and overprotective parents• Buzz words: sacrifice, loyalty, duty, patriotism• Conformity was the key to job success• Could live comfortably

on one income• Act properly, follow rules• Ration books

War Babies1920-1945

ages 62-87

Baby Boomers1946-1959

ages 48-61

•Who shot JR?

•Where’s the beef?

•Rotary phones

•Plaid is main color in school photo

•Bell bottoms, granny dresses, hip huggers, hot pants, and polyester!

•The Beatles on Ed Sullivan

•Still won’t swim because of the movie Jaws

Baby Boomers1946-1959

ages 48-61

• VCR costs $2000

Generation X1960-1979

ages 28-47

• Knew how to run a microwave &VCR• Dressed in “grunge”• Danced to punk rock and hip hop• Billy Idol, Nirvana, U-2, Madonna, Bon Jovi• Phrase: “Like…whatever!”• Very different from War Babies and Boomers• 40% in single parent households• “Nation at Risk” in test scores & youth crime• Struggle to find their identity• Adapt well to change, quick learners, clever• Born in the information age; comfortable with technology

Generation X1960-1979

ages 28-47

Generation Y1980-1999

ages 8-27

• Described as the smartest, cleverest, healthiest, most civic minded group

• Technical know how; most tech-savvy generation ever• Focused on goals• Self-confident, self-starters, might be somewhat self

absorbed• Confident about the future; very optimistic• Computers, e-mail, cell phones, i-pods, MP3’s, DVD’s• High rate of volunteerism • Want immediate answers and feedback

Generation Y1980-1999

ages 8-27

Game Boy Micro

Futuristic GenerationBorn after 2000

• World Peace will require good leadership and communication.

• Advances in technology bring people in the world closer and closer.

• Multi-sensual media, intelligent robots, and transport methods far beyond earth

• World hunger and poverty need to be addressed as the population jumps from 5.5 million to 11 billion by 2050

• Environmental issues• Nuclear threat

What will the future hold?

Artifact Pictures

• 1910

• Kodak Brownie camera, about 1910

historyforkids.utah.gov/.../photos/history.html

• One 1928 magazine advertisement states, "After smoking, have a stick of Black Jack!  The licorice in this quality gum soothes the throat and freshens the mouth.  The world's most popular licorice flavored gum."

http://www.ohiokids.org/tz/rs03.shtml

• Trading stamps are small paper coupons given to customers by merchants. These stamps have no value individually, but when a customer saves up a certain number of them, they can be exchanged with the trading stamp company for other merchandise.