Traditionalist or Baby Boomer?

My brother-in-law was here a while back and he got to talking about the generations. Apparently he had heard a talk recently where they described the different generations from the Traditionalists to the Baby Boomers to Generation X (Baby Busters) to the Millenials (or Generation Y). This is some of the info he passed on to me.

I know there are books about this, but I haven't read any. However, it is interesting. Since we were born in the summer of 1945, DH and I actually fall right between the Traditionalists and the Baby Boomers. But since we were infants in 1945, we consider ourselves Baby Boomers since we really grew up during that period... graduating from high school and starting college in 1963.

familiar reader

still have my mom's table... just like this but white

remember these?

The following information shows the events and experiences that formed these groups... as well as the characteristics that became a part of each. 

I found it interesting reading. Thought you might also.

Find your generation:

1. Traditionalist – Born 1922-1945
(DH and I were born the summer of 1945)

2. Baby Boomers – Born 1946-1964

3. Generation X or Baby Busters – Born 1965-1979
(Our 3 children were born during this time)

4. Millennial or Generation Y – Born 1980-2000

Events and Experiences of Traditionalists: (1922 - 1945)

Great Depression

New Deal

World War II

Korean War

Events and Experiences of Baby Boomers : (1946 - 1964)

Civil rights

Sexual Revolution

Beatles (& Elvis!) • Cold War

Nuclear Bomb Drill in School

Space travel

Assassinations

Events and Experiences of Gen Xer’s: (1965 - 1979)

Fall of Berlin Wall

Watergate

Women’s liberation

Desert Storm

Energy crisis

Events and Experiences of the Millennials: (1980 - 2000)

Oklahoma City Bombing

Bill and Monica

Columbine Shooting

September 11, 2001

Technology

Child Focused World

Characteristics of Traditionalists: (1922 - 1945)

Resourceful Savers
Pay With Cash

Communication 
Face to Face
Handshake

Family Traditional 
Nuclear

Hard Work Obligation 
Duty Before Pleasure
Survival Mode

Characteristics of Baby Boomers: (1946 - 1964)

Driven

Wealthiest Generation

Competitive

Work Hard-Earn Reward

Communication

Call Me Anytime

Television Generation

Information Delivered

Justice for All

Civil Rights

Opportunity

Life is an Adventure

Time to Ponder

Possibility

Characteristics of Generation X: (1965 - 1979)

Adaptable

Grew with Technology

Service Economy Accepting

Ambitious

Over 60% Attended College

Achieve 'On Their Own Terms'

Flexible

Cherish Time with Family, Friends

Don’t Like Structure

Hands Off

Independent

Values Freedom

Self Sufficient

Responsibility

Less Team Oriented

Fun!!

Characteristics of Millennials: (1980 - 2000)

Achievement Oriented

Pampered by Parents

Confident

High Expectations

Question Authority

Connected

Daily, Instant

Tweets, Blogs, FB

Smart Phones

Diverse

Merged Families

Most Accepting Group

Family Centric

Work/Life Balance

Flexible Schedules

Tech Savvy *

Attention Craving

Feedback

Guidance

Praise

Team Oriented

No Child Left Behind

Seek Input 

I wrote this post a while back and never posted it - actually forgot about it until recently reading rants about Baby Boomers on another's blog where they blamed the world's problems on BB's. Well, I'm not political and dislike people who complain but have no solution themselves... (putting blame is an easy out) so their rants didn't sit well with me. But that's neither here nor there.

I just wanted to say that although DH and I were both born in the summer of 1945, we grew up as Baby Boomers and our kids are definitely Generation X. DH and I worked and went to college, got married, and soon became parents. We both continued to work and raise our children all 3 of whom went to college, and now have good jobs and families of their own. So, I find it difficult to understand exactly where we went wrong. Now that we're retired, we aren't wealthy, but have managed to pay off our home and live a comfortable, if not affluent, life. 

I do agree that it's harder for Generation X to save, and it seems necessary for both parents to work - but I'm not sure why the blame of this can be put on the Baby Boomers. It seems to me that each generation faces their own challenges and must take up the gauntlet to meet it. I don't see how finding fault with the previous generation solves anything (IMO).

... just my 2 cents

moments of melancholy...

I think people don't give themselves or the ones they love enough credit. Yes, someone you care about may not always think or act as you would like them to... but people aren't perfect... and (IMO) perfection is not the answer. Love is. It's OK to 'agree to disagree'. 

Life is full of storms. Having someone who will hold you during those storms is more important than having them understand your fear. Only you can understand your fear. As long as your fear is respected, then all is well. 

I think too many expect perfection and when they don't get it, start analyzing everything... (with disastrous results).

Love is not perfect. It's respecting each other's fears and imperfections as well as remembering all the things  that attracted you in the first place - things that make you want to be a better person. 

Trust is hard. But once given (if earned over time) trust isn't easily lost. But like everything else in life, it's a choice... one you make over and over again on a daily basis.

I'm not sure where all this is coming from - except that I read this quote recently:

and I'm very susceptible to some quotes. Many just fly right over my head, but some... stick and stick hard. Many of my life's philosophies are built around them. And this particular one may mean nothing to you, but it set off a storm of thoughts through mine.  And I have to write it out... because it clears my head. Someone once said:

and this is so true (for me anyway)!

Life isn't easy, but (IMO) it can be wonderful... if you let it. There are 'miracle moments'. You know there are.  Something else that runs through my head most days is:

" The world is so full of wonderful things. 

You'd think that we'd all be as happy as kings... "

(Don't know where that came from, but it's always with me?)

However, on occasion, we're our own worst enemies... either thinking we'll never get it right or having unreasonable expectations for ourselves or others. Let it go!  Be careful in picking your battles. Some things truly aren't worth the fight.

And lastly another favorite quote:

"Beyond the gloom of this world lies joy...

Take joy!"

I do.

Hope I didn't bore you.  Have a great weekend! (and remember... the storm will pass!)