On 1st January 2025 I was the attending anaesthetist for a C section at one hospital.
After then delivery of the baby boy the Gynae assistant suddenly exclaimed : Oh here comes the GEN BETA!
I was perplexed on listening to it. Then the thoughts started coming to my mind that I have earlier heard some terms like millennial/baby boomers etc. etc.
Yes I was right. After coming home I searched more. But still I didn't understand much.
So how and why are these labels coined for certain time periods?
Generation naming began in the 20th Century.
The deceased American writer Gertrude Stein first coined the term "Lost Generation" to those born around the turn of the 20th Century who devoted their lives to service during world war -I.
Generation theorists Neil Howe and William Strauss are credited with identifying and naming US 20th Century generations in their 1991 book titled 'Generations'
Most of these labels stuck though the dates are somewhat flexible.
Here is a short summary of different generations with time periods and important features of them.
"Generations take on special meaning because their members tend to experience critical life events and transitions at particular historical moments, and these moments define their lives,"
1901-1927 : G.I. Generation.
This generation lived through the Great Depression and then went off to fight in World War II. Notably, they popularized jazz and swing music, but don't be fooled by the wild provocations of the cultural preferences of the times. Due to the current events of this generation, the challenge of raising a family put a premium on traits like hard work and grit.
1928 - 1945 : Silent Generation
The silent generation famously got their name for being so conformist that they were silent through the MacCarthy era when the fear of Communism swept the country. During this era, kids were expected to earn their way through life using a strong work ethic.
1946-1964 : Baby boomers.
Gen Z may think of Baby Boomers as their out of touch grandparents (as in "OK, Boomer"), but this generation actually had a wild youth we often don't talk about. Boomers are named for the population "boom" that occurred after WW-II, and many young people of this generation defied their parents, protested the Vietnam War, and created the "Summer of Love."
Boomer parents notably redefined parenting by being the first generation to look at their kids' perspective of growing up, and they started the concept of having family meetings.
1965 - 1980 : Gen X.
The slacker generation, Generation X lived through the AIDS epidemic, MTV culture, and a shifting landscape that would give rise to LGBTQ+ rights.
Generation X parents were the first to use helicopter parenting style. Unlike their Boomer parents, who famously let their kids stay outside until the streetlights came on, Gen X'ers tend to be far more involved with their children's social and educational development.
1981 - 1996 : Gen Y/ Millenials.
Millennials lived through 9/11, remember when Amazon only sold books, and are also the first generation to know a childhood both with and without the internet, which now plays a significant role in their personal lives.
While Boomers may accuse Millennials of being self-centered and impatient due to their excessive use of technology, this generation has proven to be incredibly community-oriented and environmentally conscious, which are traits being picked up by their children.
When it comes to parenting, millennials are more likely than prior generations to encourage their children to live as their authentic selves, and they're leading the movement in helping gender non-conforming kids be happy with who they are, points out Carr. "Some millennial parents, who were 'helicoptered over' in their youth, are taking on a freer approach to parenting, allowing their children to explore and create without constant structure or supervision."
1997 - 2010 : Gen Z / iGen.
Generation Z kids are the first to be born into a world where they know nothing besides constant connection to one another, albeit through phones, screens, and tablets. However, like millennials before them, Gen Z'ers are often environmentally conscious, inclusive and accepting of others, and extremely politically aware—despite many of them not yet being of voting age.
2010 - 2014 : Gen Alpha.
Kids born between 2010 and 2024 are part of Generation Alpha. They're the first generation of kids who will never know a time when social media didn't exist, and they're far more tech-savvy than any generation previously, which is a powerful tool that can change humanity in myriad positive ways. On the flip side, this reliance on technology could lead to reduced attention spans and fewer in-person connections.
It may be too soon to peg the Alphas as this or that based on how little we know about them so far. However, there are a few things we understand: Some Gen Alphas were the first to be born during the COVID-19 pandemic, they're more diverse than any other generation, and they're more likely to be in a single-parent household. They have the potential to redefine education and the workforce.
2025 - 2039 : Gen Beta.
Kids born in 2025 and beyond are part of Generation Beta, though it's too soon to know anything about them yet. They'll likely be tech-savvy and socially conscious, similar to Generation Alpha, and they might prioritize adaptability, individuality, and sustainability. Unlike past generations, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital connectivity will likely be woven into their daily lives.
Like the generations that came before them, every passing year will shape the cultural perception of who they are. In the meantime, parents get the pride and honor of guiding them through life.
.....So What Next? Baby's born after 2040?
Generation Gamma: Children of Generation Alpha, expected in the second half of the 21st century
Generation Delta: Expected in the second half of the 21st century.
Dr Satish Phadke.
