Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I know stating "50 yrs old = Boomer" is convenient shorthand, but it`s a fallacy. Why do I care? Because it`s the category I identify with, and I will turn 45 this year. I have more in common with Boomers than with Gen X`ers. Maybe it`s just me, but I sometimes feel dismissed because I don`t fit conveniently into either category.

Anyone else experience generation gap?



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Michael J. Stelly
Smarter Consulting Starts Today!

I`ve actually just now been reading "The Fourth Turning," a book that specifically examines the 80-something cycle of what`s called a "saeculum." It`s an old word that means "roughly equivalent to a long human life span."

Within that period are four typical generations. The meaning of "generation" and the dividing point is associated with the coming of age point, and the coming into power point. So a child ordinarily (and naturally) comes of age somewhere around 20 years old. Adults typically take control of the political, institutional, and financial structures in a society at around 40 years old.

One of the important points being presented is that we can very generally point to a set of years and say they`re a generation, but a far more useful and accurate system is simply to ask someone which generation they most closely identify with. Just as you`ve said above.

The naming of a generation has to do with marketing demographics, and a convenient way to talk about group characteristics. But the underlying reality of the generational group is the way individuals feel within a group.

The leeway or variance can certainly be 5 years. So the Baby Boomer generation, for marketing purposes, has a 1963 crossover year, where Gen-X begins. It`s just a convenience label, and means nothing in terms of how you personally class yourself.

I was born in 1968, neither a boomer nor a gen-x`er.


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Let`s see................the 60s.............I remember a blur.....some music......um....some smoke...... Well, I dunno....it was a long time ago.... 

hahahaha

Michael,

I know what you mean, I`m at the top of the Baby Boomer generation and have characteristics of the WWII generation. You are also right in that generation research is a type of short hand. Furthermore, using characteristics for just one segment that people belong to is not much better than stereotyping.

The true benefits of market segmentation come from using all the segments for a market and then looking for characteristics that cross markets. The more segments that  a characteristic crosses, the more likely it will make an effective marketing appeal.

This questions really strikes a chord with me, because my website deals with these exact issues.

Warmly,

Linda P. Morton

Ha! I had no idea that my musing would evoke such a response. I appreciate everyone`s input and urge folks to continue commenting. Especially others like me, the "Gappers" (I`ll copyright that one) need to find our own parcel on the saeculum landscape (thx CraigL, love that word).


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Michael J. Stelly
Smarter Consulting Starts Today!