Defining Angst:
Angst is referred to a strong feeling of anxiety, apprehension, being worried or nervous often accompanied by depression.
Mature Generation (Born before 1945)
This generation was shaped by two world wars and the Great Depression. Their upbringing was structured similarly to the 'Command and Control' structure of war. Matures value loyalty, discipline, attendance, hierarchy and authority. They are very patriotic and would never drive a German or Japanese car, no matter the cost or quality of the good. They put a man on the moon and created vaccines to wipe out polio, tetanus and tuberculosis.
This is a very loyal group. They are loyal to traditions and have a strong sense of patriotism.
This is a very loyal group. They are loyal to traditions and have a strong sense of patriotism.
Baby Boomer Generation (Born 1946-1964)
This generation joined the workforce during a period of economic expansion. Their future prospects, from birth, were optimistic.
It is important to remember that this generation succeeded a generation that made the ultimate sacrifice through two world wars and the Great Depression. They were brought up to learn that generations before them made the unprecedented sacrifice of war and that, as a result, it is the Baby Boomer generation that owes society something for having the fortune to be born.
What they owed to society was a better world. They made considerable advancements across all boards. They were the first generation to be raised with television, with the Ed Sullivan show as a family favourite. Because of television, their culture changed to accommodate this luxury; TV dinners were created, which challenged the traditional form of family dining in western cultures. Baby Boomers continued to challenge traditions by rebelling against their parents and promoting social equality (both in race and gender). It was their drive for a better world that pushed for the international problems, such as the Vietnam war, the Watergate scandal and the Cold War.
This generation rebelled against their parents. The anthropologic school of thought of functionalism explains why. Both Matures and Baby Boomers would do the same things, but the function of each would change because the environments they grew up in are different. For example, as Karen (Baby Boomer), explains:
"Another influence on my life was the ENERGY CRISIS. We were the first generation to actually get concerned that we would not be able to sustain life because we would run out of energy supplies. To put it in perspective, my dad lived through the depression, and he always turned out the lights when he left a room because he wanted to save money. I turned out the lights when I left a room because I wanted to save energy."
Although it does not explain why there was conflict, it does show that the same action of turning off lights is used for different functions because the context changed from the Great Depression (recession) to a point of economic expansion. Perhaps a good example would be with music. The function of music for Matures was for entertainment and quality. The function of music for Baby Boomers was for its political message. The political message was conveyed through a completely different style of music (less classy, more powerful - make people want to take social action, not ballroom dance!). Functionalism is very important in understanding all generational conflicts because it is the parents who notice that their child is doing something they do, just the completely wrong way - according to them!
It is important to remember that this generation succeeded a generation that made the ultimate sacrifice through two world wars and the Great Depression. They were brought up to learn that generations before them made the unprecedented sacrifice of war and that, as a result, it is the Baby Boomer generation that owes society something for having the fortune to be born.
What they owed to society was a better world. They made considerable advancements across all boards. They were the first generation to be raised with television, with the Ed Sullivan show as a family favourite. Because of television, their culture changed to accommodate this luxury; TV dinners were created, which challenged the traditional form of family dining in western cultures. Baby Boomers continued to challenge traditions by rebelling against their parents and promoting social equality (both in race and gender). It was their drive for a better world that pushed for the international problems, such as the Vietnam war, the Watergate scandal and the Cold War.
This generation rebelled against their parents. The anthropologic school of thought of functionalism explains why. Both Matures and Baby Boomers would do the same things, but the function of each would change because the environments they grew up in are different. For example, as Karen (Baby Boomer), explains:
"Another influence on my life was the ENERGY CRISIS. We were the first generation to actually get concerned that we would not be able to sustain life because we would run out of energy supplies. To put it in perspective, my dad lived through the depression, and he always turned out the lights when he left a room because he wanted to save money. I turned out the lights when I left a room because I wanted to save energy."
Although it does not explain why there was conflict, it does show that the same action of turning off lights is used for different functions because the context changed from the Great Depression (recession) to a point of economic expansion. Perhaps a good example would be with music. The function of music for Matures was for entertainment and quality. The function of music for Baby Boomers was for its political message. The political message was conveyed through a completely different style of music (less classy, more powerful - make people want to take social action, not ballroom dance!). Functionalism is very important in understanding all generational conflicts because it is the parents who notice that their child is doing something they do, just the completely wrong way - according to them!
Generation X (Born 1965-1984)
This generation came into existence during times of great social change.
They came of age during the Challenger explosion, the oil embargo, rapidly increasing divorce rates and parent downsizing (which led to delayed marriages). They witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall and saw more and more two-income families. The idea that both parents would work was what resulted in Generation X relying on themselves.
Unfortunately, Generation X (the Baby Bust) lived the life that should have been lived 10 years prior to their existence. Generation X came of age during the information revolution and, therefore, saw a lot of instability in their lives. This is why Generation Xers tend to find jobs that offer security and stability. It is also in this pursuit for stability in their lives that unions and universal healthcare were pushed further.
This Generation had to deal with considerable change. They learned that work is no guarantee of survival. They saw the corporate downsizing that was brought by the information revolution and saw their parents lose their once stable jobs. While other generations grew up with real wars during the Cold War period, Generation X grew up with economic wars. This made Generation X take nothing for granted and work towards their goal. They didn't have as much parental support as Generation Y today and, in fact, were used to adapting to a change in parents every weekend as they grew up during a time where divorces were becoming more common. Their childhood, overall, was pretty parent free as their parents tended to focus on self-development (i.e. health clubs). As a result they believed they could control their own destinies individually!
This generation is collectively pessimistic, but individually optimistic that they can beat the system and become successful.
They came of age during the Challenger explosion, the oil embargo, rapidly increasing divorce rates and parent downsizing (which led to delayed marriages). They witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall and saw more and more two-income families. The idea that both parents would work was what resulted in Generation X relying on themselves.
Unfortunately, Generation X (the Baby Bust) lived the life that should have been lived 10 years prior to their existence. Generation X came of age during the information revolution and, therefore, saw a lot of instability in their lives. This is why Generation Xers tend to find jobs that offer security and stability. It is also in this pursuit for stability in their lives that unions and universal healthcare were pushed further.
This Generation had to deal with considerable change. They learned that work is no guarantee of survival. They saw the corporate downsizing that was brought by the information revolution and saw their parents lose their once stable jobs. While other generations grew up with real wars during the Cold War period, Generation X grew up with economic wars. This made Generation X take nothing for granted and work towards their goal. They didn't have as much parental support as Generation Y today and, in fact, were used to adapting to a change in parents every weekend as they grew up during a time where divorces were becoming more common. Their childhood, overall, was pretty parent free as their parents tended to focus on self-development (i.e. health clubs). As a result they believed they could control their own destinies individually!
This generation is collectively pessimistic, but individually optimistic that they can beat the system and become successful.
Generation Y (Born 1985-2000)
These are native digitals. Modern technology has surrounded them their entire lives. They have the capability of writing their internet penpal in Asia before they go to bed and can wake up with an instant response. As a result their communication skills are very high. Because of which, they are very intrapersonal (Gen X is interpersonal), and put a great deal of importance on social relationships. They want fun and humour in the workplace. They are confident. They are demanding. And their parents cared for them with an intensity never before seen by any other generation. Generation Y treat their parents as their friends - they are cool!
In school, they were taught with progressive learning strategies. They have been taught to present, debate, discuss and challenge throughout their education. It has become the norm to challenge the status quo. Part of the reason for this is because their teachers are from the Baby Boomer generation and the Generation X group, who, themselves, challenged the status quo for what they believed in. In previous generations, the authoritarian learning strategy was used because the teachers of these previous generations didn't challenge the status quo to the same intensity as the Baby Boomers and Generation X.
In the workforce, they are self-confident. They want to be part of the decision making process and don't like being micro-managed by traditional hierarchies. They like constant feedback for work they do, but when they get it, they accuse their superior of micro-managing them. They want positive feedback at all times. Such is the case in the classroom - they only want to read the comments section of assignments for the positive, reassuring comments, instead of for the constructive criticism. They want immediate responses because that's what they have grown up with as digital natives.
This generation thinks independently, speaks freely and believes it has a right to an opinion. They are optimistic, however, they realize that nothing lasts forever. and, therefore, feel a need to live in the moment. #YOLO
Though they were promised a better and more peaceful world, they have lived through 9/11, Rwanda, tsunamis (such as the one in 2004), AIDS, famine, the Oklahoma City bombing and the Columbine High School massacre. It is for this reason that Generation Yers are realists.
In school, they were taught with progressive learning strategies. They have been taught to present, debate, discuss and challenge throughout their education. It has become the norm to challenge the status quo. Part of the reason for this is because their teachers are from the Baby Boomer generation and the Generation X group, who, themselves, challenged the status quo for what they believed in. In previous generations, the authoritarian learning strategy was used because the teachers of these previous generations didn't challenge the status quo to the same intensity as the Baby Boomers and Generation X.
In the workforce, they are self-confident. They want to be part of the decision making process and don't like being micro-managed by traditional hierarchies. They like constant feedback for work they do, but when they get it, they accuse their superior of micro-managing them. They want positive feedback at all times. Such is the case in the classroom - they only want to read the comments section of assignments for the positive, reassuring comments, instead of for the constructive criticism. They want immediate responses because that's what they have grown up with as digital natives.
This generation thinks independently, speaks freely and believes it has a right to an opinion. They are optimistic, however, they realize that nothing lasts forever. and, therefore, feel a need to live in the moment. #YOLO
Though they were promised a better and more peaceful world, they have lived through 9/11, Rwanda, tsunamis (such as the one in 2004), AIDS, famine, the Oklahoma City bombing and the Columbine High School massacre. It is for this reason that Generation Yers are realists.
The point of this case study is to determine if Generation Y has a right to feel angst. It is through determining Generation Y's reputation, present circumstances and future prospects that we have concluded our research into Generation Y's angst.