I was once told that a generation can be defined as a group of people that all share ages with in an one 25 year time span. So essentially you could say your generation would be anyone in your age group or 12 years older or younger than you are. The reasoning being is that this is about the range of people that can relate to and understand the same things as you. They grew up dealing with approximately the same things as you and experienced the same events and developments as you did. As I reflect on this Idea I'm beginning to think generational gaps are getting much smaller, things I was amazed to see created and developed children are now growing up with. Things I had to work to figure out and get used to kids are being taught how t use from an early childhood and use effortlessly and events I experienced and thought were significant and few and far between seem to be happening far more frequently. Now I don't know if it's age and more awareness or if things really are changing more rapidly, but it seems as though I can connect with a much larger group of people that are older than me, than those that are younger than me. While I currently feel like I can talk to, connect with, and relate to anyone up to about 45 years old before a significant generational gap becomes really apparent (as far as experiences and opinion) The gap is much shorter on the younger side it drops to about 16, now I also understand that anyone younger than that may not be at a point in there life where they want to connect or talk on a deep level, but I'm considering in the future. I feel like the age gap will seem so much larger when these kids get older just because of how fast things are developing now, as far as technology, and the ways we connect to the world, and other human beings. I'm not saying this is a bad thing at all just interesting. I feel like things will continue to change so rapidly that a three year age difference may seem like an 8 year one just because of the changes and developments that are made in that time.
Although I think this has made me appreciate my generation that much more. Not only because I see the vast array of things we are getting involved in, and the prospective ways we can change the world, or because I know I can look to these people for advice, help, and guidance, but because as generational gaps get smaller the things that connect our generation become so much more wonderful. A love affair with the first gaming system I would consider ours from the original Nintendo-the Playstation 2, or cartoons like the original power rangers, or red rover, yo momma jokes, or the Beenie baby boom. It is things like these and the memories we forged that will connect us forever. Further more this connection and a mutual understanding that you've probably been through some of the same things and had some of the same experiences can create a mutual respect between us, and allow us to help each other grow and develop as we begin our time as the dominant generation in the world. As we leave our legacy on the world, we will have to rely on each other as we are scrutinized by those younger and older than us, sometimes rightfully so, and sometimes not. But the important things is that it will be more than our credentials that will connect us it will be our bond as people and the generational connection we share will play a big part in that. We think like no others think, we act like no others act, and we will continue to live like no others live.
Gen Y love you guys!
