Generations: All Different, But Yet Still The Same

Each generation has its little "quirks" if you will. You know those things that are part of "who they are" or what "mark they left behind".

In fact, there are names for them: the Greatest Generation – born 1901-1924; the Silent Generation – born 1925-1945; the Baby Boomer Generation – born 1946-1964; generation X – born 1965-1979; Millennials – born 1980-1994; Generation Z – born 1995-2012; and Gen Alpha – born 2013 – 2025.

My generation, the Baby Boomers, have been defined as "the post-war baby boomer generation". It was during this time that the United States saw a spike in its birth rate, the economy was flourishing and was then able to support the concept of larger families. It was during those years that technology really started to take off with advances that made it so much easier to share ideas and culture. Space exploration was also taking off, if you will forgive the pun.

Each generation is hard on those before to a certain extent - wondering, "what in the world were they thinking?"

And, from time to time something that was "in" for one era, suddenly returns for another - albeit with a different name.

Let's look at bell bottoms for example. Bell bottoms which have also been dubbed "flares" are a style of trousers that become wider from the knees downward, forming a "bell-like shape of the trouser leg". Some may not know it, but these popular bits of attire first came in style back in 1813. They were part of the uniform attire of sailors in the United States Navy.

The popular look made come backs in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. And yes, now throughout the 2000s.

And bell bottoms aren't the only style with a repeat performance. So what should that tell you about the different generations? I think it tells you that no matter how we try to believe we "are NOT like they were or like the ones after us are", we all are more alike than we think. So, perhaps we protest a little too much. When it comes right down to the "brass tacks", I think deep down inside, there is a fundamental piece that connects us all together.

A little "something" that says, "hey, you all are different, but guess what? You are also still the same."

And, because of that "sameness", perhaps we should all be more willing to give each other a little more grace when the differences rear their ugly heads.