Generations

These two articles introduce and discuss the five different generations of Americans that have been running the country since the beginning of the 1900’s. The five generations in order starting in 1901 include: G.I. Generation, Silent Generation, Boom Generation, Generation X, and Millennial Generation. Since the G.I. and Silent generation are either currently at the end of their career, or already retired; the two articles focus more on the Boom, X, and Millennial Generations. Individuals from the Boom and X generation are two drastically different types of individuals. While Boom is more conservative, and has trust within the school systems as they were raised during a time of strong community. The X people were born into a time when the needs of children were put last. X individuals are more people friendly then Boomers, and are more concerned with how their own children are doing in school as well as constantly checking up and pressuring the educators to make sure their children are maximizing their learning potential. The one thing these two generations do have in common is that of their children. Their children are considered the Millennial generation, which includes all traditional students currently in college and younger. Millennial generation has a good mix of all the previous generations, and will shortly be entering the real world where they will make a mark and eventually represent all the superior jobs in America. Millennial Generation has been criticized for all the same things that students of previous generations have. Some people even go further and clam that America is in trouble as soon as the millennial generation takes over. Statistics show that the millennial generation is actually in much better shape than any before it. Students today show more respect, have better attitudes, achieve at higher levels, and are better people persons than any generation before. The false impressions about students today are only myth statements that are thrown around during every generation. Today’s students are more than capable, willing, and ready to be leaders in the workforce.
I found these two articles to be very interesting. I never knew that each generation had a name and that they broke them down that much. It all makes a lot of sense to me though. My parents are from the boom generation and are very caring and always concerned about mine and my brother’s education, but there very supportive of the teachers and have a lot of trust in the school system. I can also think of a lot of people that were born in the X generation who are teachers and coach’s worst nightmares. I found it amazing how much the articles were on about each generation and could think of a bunch of examples of people who acted exactly like their generation description. I also found it fascinating all the positive facts about the millennial generation. It makes me proud to be part of that generation, and to know that I will be someone who has a part in continuing the growth and success of those students. I have thought about how I will mold many students of the future, but I never thought about how the article had described it, and how I will be responsible for trying to continue the improvement of these statistics; especially since a lot of the stats involved health education and overall well-being. These articles also made me a little nervous, as I will have to deal with many of the generation X parents. It is something that I do not think about nearly enough, nor want to, but I will have some parents at some time get upset with me. These articles only worsened my concern as I feel that these parents will be armed and ready just as soon as I make one little slip up. It is something that I will have to manage and deal with, and will only understand better over time.