What Generation do I really fit in?
Sometimes the topics I chose have alot to do what what we are working on. For example, I am getting my SRES certification – that stands for Senior Real Estate Specialist. In the course curriculum I learned that I belong in the Baby Boomer Generation. However, when I read what created the formative experiences for that generation I didn’t feel like I belonged. Instead, I felt I belonged in the Gen X 13th Generation. Take a look at your birth year and see where you belong and then see if you identify with any of the formative experiences that shape your generation.
G.I. Generation – (1901-1926) Formative Experiences: The Depression – World War II
Silent Generation – (1972-1945) Formative Experiences: Korean War, Cold War, The ‘Beat’ generation
Baby Boomer – (1946-1964) Formative Experiences: Woodstock & Hippie culture, Assassinations of JFK, Martin Luther King, Bobby Kennedy, Vietnam, Moon Landing, Watergate, Cuban Missile Crisis, Civil Rights Movement
Gen X, 13th Generation – (1965-1976) Formative Experiences: Social Security Crisis, Berlin Wall, Chernobyl, Rodney King, Challenger Explosion, Iran Hostage Crisis, Economic Recession and Corporate layoffs/downsizing, Video Games, high Tech.
Gen Y, Echo Boomer, Millennials, Nexters – (1977-1994) Formative Experiences: 9/11, Internet, Gulf War, Waco, Elian Gonzalez, Columbine Shooting, Globalization, Terrorist Attacks
Gen Z, Internet Generation, New Silent (1995-) Formative Experiences: Internet and digital Revolution, Terrorist Attacks, No Memories of the 20th Century.
In reviewing where I am suppose to fit in – the Boomer Generation’s – the formative experiences don’t resonate with me. – I never had the opportunity to hang out with people at Woodstock – except when I got older and they had Woodstock 2. I had no Hippie friends, except maybe a few free spirits at the park. Only in the movies did I see an actual reenactment of JFK’s assassination – so I wasn’t aware enough to watch it on TV when it happened. I wonder if we even had a TV then. As I go over each of these experiences – I don’t really identify with any of them. I do, however, identify with Gen X’s. I worry about Social Security, I watched the Berlin wall fall – even have a small piece of it, I was pregnant with my first son during the Chernobyl crisis, was living in Palmdale when the Challenger exploded – and the list goes on and on. I think, after reviewing this, I will have to change my affiliation from a Boomer to GenX.
I think my sons are in the correct generation – Nicholas definitely would identify with Gen Y’s formative experiences. My other boys are totally Gen Z. Internet, Video Games, XBOX Live, Social Media, all keep them very connected to their friends without being in the same room. Amazing.
I wonder what they will name the next generation. How about Gen ‘lets-start-all-over-again’?
Becoming a SRES is part of our long term education goals. We are and continue to be on the cutting edge of the market and what is happening. The Burbank Ca., market is really picking up – we have three incredible listings that are coming soon – we can’t wait to reveal. Two in the Magnolia Park area of Burbank and one in North Hills West. Keep you posted!
Have a great week and I look forward to your comments!