While reading over the comments from my post two weeks ago a lot of people had pointed out that although they aren’t Gen Y’ers they still adhere and follow the same stereotypes. That may very well be true because in this day and age we as humans are constantly evolving and learning to adapt to new ways of life. The most used example of a Gen Y stereotype is having the television on in the background just as noise. I’ve witnessed firsthand my mom, a Gen X’er, leaving her television on as a background noise while keeping busy doing other chores. My point in bringing all this up is that even though people may have gradually adapted to certain ways of life, there are still certain things that are directly related to Gen Y and Gen X.
Gen X meets Gen Y
Instead of using conventional methods of research, also known as the Internet, I interviewed various people who were considered Gen X’ers and Gen Y’ers. It’s safe to say that the majority of Gen X’ers that grew up with the Atari, Three’s Company, and VHS have grown accustom to the life of the Xbox 360, Reality T.V., and Blue-ray. These comparisons reflect the differences in how each generation grew up. I’ve listed a few categories and compared to the two generations.
Parents
Gen X €“ This generation often feared and respected their parents a great deal more than Gen Y. Corporal punishment was normal and the thought of being hit with a switch was always well-deserved.
Gen Y €“ We turned the idea of discipline into child abuse. Being put through a wall or being hit with a switch can now land a parent in jail and the children being put in foster care. A big turnaround from how it was to now.
Television
Gen X €“ Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, Welcome Back Kotter, Mike Douglas, Diana Shore, and Soap operas were just a few named when asked about different types of television shows that Gen X’ers grew up with. Most of these originally aired during the beginning years of what’s refered to as Gen Y, but were popular during the time Gen X’ers were growing up.
Soaps were bigger in the past. Remember when Luke and Laura got married on General Hospital? I was told that it was something you didn’t want to miss and everyone made sure they were home watch it. What about when JR was shot? Kids were sent to their room for complete silence and concentration. No way to record so if you didn’t catch it, you missed out. Everyone smoked on television and the news was watched more.
Gen Y €“ Reality television has exploded in the past decade. Gen Y’ers have soaked it up and dozens of reality television shows have populated. As someone who has grown up in the reality television era I can attest that most are addicted to one if not several different series. There is no such thing as missing the latest episode of your favorite series because you can watch it online as many times as you want. You can even DVR your favorite shows. There are unlimited means of watching anything your heart desires.
Television is a big part of life. Looking back forty years the type of programming has dramatically changed, but it is also an evolution of past trends. In the case of reality television, Candid Camera was one of the first shows that attempted to catch reality life.
Marketing & Advertising
Gen X €“ The Sears catalog was something that came up numerous times when asked about the different types of marketing and advertisement. People would order several different types of products from this catalog and it was very popular. I searched for an old catalog page and the main item featured was an electric sewing machine for $11.50. Door to door salesmen were more popular and cigarettes were advertised (before they caused cancer!).
Gen Y €“ Nowadays you can shop online, be hit with marketing slogans anywhere you look, and tend to research products a great deal more before making a big purchase. The Internet has revolutionized the way products are being bought. Most online stores offer 3D models of various products that make it virtually possible to buy everything while sitting in your underwear and have it delivered. There are even companies that will purchase groceries and deliver.
Growing up in the time period known as generation X compared to now has changed drastically. Gen Y grew up in a more advanced technologically savvy world where Gen X had the opportunity to experience this technology when it was in the early stages. People adapt just as Gen Y will adapt to the technology advances during Gen Z growing up years. It’s a cycle.
There may not be a big epiphany after reading, but the comparisons are there to show that through time people evolve and different mindsets are formed. In order for companies to be successful, they have to be willing to change their marketing strategies. If not, they could face brand failure down the road.
Blake McCammon, is an intern at Xceptional HR and is also our Gen Y twice monthly blog contributor. Connect with Blake on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Blake is a recent grad of Northeastern State University with a degree in Business Administration. During school he created and managed his university’s social media strategy while also spearheading a university Go Green€ campaign.
5 Comments
I totally agree with you! I think there are a lot of similarities btw Gen X and Gen Y but we view things differently as well…
I like this take on the generations. I am technically Gen X (by a few months) but identify almost exclusively with Gen Y. I wonder if we shouldn’t have a term for those of us who overlap (late 70’s/early 80’s babies). Gen XY?
I think of myself as Gen “Please stop trying to label me” – many of the things you’ve said are typical stereotypes of Gen X-ers that are far from applicable to me. I’ve seen plenty of people across generations who don’t fit into the boxes prescribed by “experts.”
I think we’d probably have a better time getting along if we stopped worrying about the ways in which we’re different, and started worrying about figuring out a way to work together without labeling. It’s a hippie sounding thing to say, but labels are for boxes, not people.
@Stefanie – I agree that there needs to be some in between. Most people can relate to either sides of the generation issues.
@Kelly – I know being labeled isn’t ideal and I hate being labeled myself, but I think it’s necessary in some ways because you have to take a broader perspective when trying to market to certain groups of people. Just like t.v. ratings – You have x amount of users between 18-49 watching a specific account.
This is interesting to me, I am fascinated with these generational differences topics.
I am a GenXer and I agree with the differences in how Gen X and Gen Y grew up. However, it’s important to keep in mind that Gen X and the Babyboomers are the ones who brought the computers in the home for their Gen Y kids AND for themselves. I know of some GenXers who still live like it’s the 80s but I know of others who are moving faster, technology wise, than some Gen Yers. Most are right there with the changing trends and adapting seamlessly.
Here is an interesting example. I used Foursquare fairly regularly. Oftentimes when I am in restaurant I’ll see a deal nearby or a deal within the restaurant I am in. In one restaurant there was actually a coupon on Foursquare just for checking in. But no one at the restaurant even knew what I was talking about. I would say there are at least 5 different times where I asked the server or even the manager about something on Foursquare and I have yet to find someone who works at these places (almost all GenYers) that even know what Foursquare is… That is so odd to me. I stood within a group of 4-5 servers at Fridays…all college kids…. explaining what Foursquare is?
The thing I notice most is that the changes that took place between Gen X and the babyboomers were not so “in your face” like the changes that took place between Gen X and Gen Y. Gen X was very young when the internet started booming and it seems many just jumped on the boat and ran with it. No, we didn’t grow up with it but I believe most are right there in the thick of it with the GenYers.
It doesn’t seem to be the case between Gen X and the babyboomers… (sadly). The changes were big but were not so “in your face” so Gen X just went off on their own thing and there was no real force (like technology) to encourage the babyboomers to see things the way Gen X saw things.
I struggle with the classification and “labels” as well. I know some babyboomers who know more about technology than I do. I know some Gen Yers who refuse to (and never have) used social networking because they don’t want their life out on the internet for everyone to see. We all are different and a lot of it just comes down to differences in personality.
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