Which Decade Defines You?
(photo by Frederico Ghadini on pixabay)
No matter when you were born, it seems that you will be defined by the decade of your teen years. The labels, such as Gen X or Gen Z, apply to your year of birth, but it’s the decade of your teens that really leaves a mark on you. These are the memories you hold onto the most dearly.
I am a baby-boomer, born in the sixties, but my teens were in the seventies, so I feel defined by this decade. We were defined by bell-bottom jeans, smoking pot, muscle cars, and collecting vinyl record albums. We hung out in nature because we didn’t have the internet or cell phones. We mostly listened to rock music, like Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones, or folk music, such as Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan.
Gen-X (born 1965-1980) spent their teen years in the 1990’s. The played with Transformers, My Little Pony, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The mixed tape was the ultimate gift for lovers, which may have included Michael Jackson, GunsN’ Roses, U2, Coolio or Run DMC. As adults, they are self-starters and innovators who are good at making money in non-traditional ways.
My kids are Millennials, (born 1981-1996). Their cultural references from childhood include: collecting Pokemon cards, Pogs, Bayblades, and Tamagotchi digital pets. Their teens in the 2000’s included wearing tear-away pants, reading Harry Potter, and playing Sonic and DDR (if you know you know), Music from their teens included: My Chemical Romance, Chumbawumba, and the Spice Girls. The adult descriptors of their generation: being super comfortable with technology, seeking to strike a healthy work-life balance, and delaying marriage into their late thirties. They are also good at scrimping and saving to get through tough times.
Gen Z (born 1997-2012) mostly listens to rap, hip-hop or indie artists, including Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B, Doja Cat, Olivia Rodrigo, or Billie Eilish. As kids they played with Monster or Bratz High dolls, Littlest Pet Shops, Nintendo Switch, and Lego Gear Bots. They value individuality in style, with an ugly-cute esthetic and products that are useful and sustainable. As adults, they are concerned with climate change and social justice.
Finally, the current generation is called Gen Alpha. They were born from 2010 until the present and have lived entirely in the 21st century. Their characteristics are still being defined.
Which generation are you and what toys, products, or music from your youth bring back the most memories? Please subscribe / leave a comment below.
