What Is the Difference Between Baby Boomers and Generation Z

This post was originally published on May 17th, 2018. Updated for June 16th, 2020.

The differences between the nation's most influential generations (and why it matters).

Generation who, now? The breakdown of our nation'southward generations tin can be disruptive, and sometimes arbitrary. Understanding the differences betwixt Infant Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z, even so, is still important. Whether you're a nonprofit seeking volunteers, or a business organisation looking for the perfect target market, having a solid grasp on what makes each generation unique can give yous an edge. Here's a breakdown of the most influential generations in the U.S.

What is a Generation?

A "generation" is defined as a cohort of people born and raised effectually the same time and in the same place. Even with differences similar gender and socioeconomic status, members of a generation showroom like values and characteristics throughout their lives. Understanding them is the perfect launching point for targeting a narrower audience.

The Baby Boomers

The generation that powered many social movements in the 1960s and 1970s, the "flower power" Baby Boomers were the nation's largest-e'er generation until the Millennials. The Babe Boomers earned their popular proper name because they were all born during the post-WWII boom in birth rates (over 74.5 million babies born). Boomers' early lives took identify during an optimistic and prosperous time in the U.S., when suburbs first emerged on the outskirts of cities, offering larger houses and yards for raising children. Raised to be loyal and hard-working, Baby Boomers conduct many traditional values, but besides a great deal of innovation, into their retirement years.

Baby Boomers at a Glance

Born between: ~1946-1964

Other names: Flower Children

Characteristics : traditional, hard-working

Values : interpersonal relationships, family, stability

Principal concerns: retirement, elderly care, long-term success for their children

Beingness raised in a relatively tech-free surroundings, Boomers value interpersonal skills and often lament the use of social media equally a substitute for contiguous connectedness. They are mostly proud Americans, and very difficult-working, who have spent most of their lives working for the aforementioned employer, buying a house, and raising a family. After a rocky youth, defined by events similar the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement, stability has been the name of the game for this generation.

Today, Baby Boomers, aged 56-74, are reaching their retirement years, but they are by no ways slowing downward. Many are sandwiched between caring for their elderly parents and supporting their adult children, who are still burdened with pupil debt and expensive housing. Many have too embraced technology, and are avid smartphone users.

How to Reach Baby Boomers

They may not match the newest generations, but Baby Boomers are surprisingly well-continued online. They practise, however, still have a busier offline life. To reach Boomers with your message, keep these tips in mind:

• Achieve out to clubs, churches, and other local groups.
• Entreatment to their sense of family, and newfound freedom in retirement.
• Target carefully on social media, making sure to focus on platforms where this generation is about active.

Millennials

The Millennials, and so-chosen considering they came of age during the new millennium, are the nation'south largest generation to-engagement (83 1000000 strong), and they are very different from their Baby Boomer parents, completely upending the nation'southward workforce structure. Their collective actions and values are strongly influenced by:

• nine/11 and its aftermath
• The latest Recessions
• Heavy student loan debt
• Mobile technology
• A permissive upbringing

Millennials at a Glance

Born betwixt : ~1984-1995

Other names : Generation Y

Characteristics : confident, wary, tech-savvy, depressed

Values: multifariousness, technology, independence

Primary concerns : mental health, finances, piece of work-life balance

Millennials are perchance the about-studied and virtually-maligned generation to-date. Raised in less-traditional households by parents who often avoided subject field, they are regarded as being confident, sensitive, and entitled. Millennials are also the highest-educated generation and extremely tech-savvy. In fact, most of their lives, from banking to socializing, are dependent on their mobile devices. This, combined with a much less stable economic system, has resulted in a very continued and inclusive generation that as well suffers loftier rates of anxiety and low.

Today, Millennials are changing both the workplace and the economy. They lack the workhorse mentality of their forebearers, and they are wary of, rather than loyal to, authorisation figures (like their employer). In fact, a very large percentage of Millennials freelance, at least part-time, and work from a domicile role. Burdened by student loan debt, and extremely wary of the economy afterwards the latest recessions, Millennials are waiting much longer than their parents to purchase a dwelling and raise children. They also tend to value experiences, rather than possessions.

How to Reach Millennials

If y'all want to reach Millennials, avert the error of treating them like their parents. Infant Boomers and Millennials really could not be more than dissimilar.

• Appeal to their demand for experiences, rather than "stuff."
• Focus advertising efforts on social media and other online channels.
• Millennials are a very large and diverse generation; narrow your audience within this generation for best results.
• Strongly consider influencer marketing.
• Remember, Millennials like to know the "why" behind what they purchase, and where they volunteer their time.

Generation Z

Motility bated, Millennials. Generation Z is arriving on scene. Contrary to pop conventionalities, these teens and young adults, born after the mid-1990s, are NOT Millennials (though some phone call them "Millennials on steroids"). They are significantly younger and are developing a different set of behaviors and values. With the eldest of this generation merely out of college, this emerging generation is all the same called past many different names, and not entirely understood.

Gen Z at a Glance

Born between: ~1995-2012

Other names: Post-Millennials, iGen, Centennials, Zoomers, the Founders

Characteristics: innovative, tech-savvy, passionate

Values: inclusiveness, forward-thinking

Main concerns: college, entering the workforce, social issues

Those considered part of Gen Z are true "digital natives," who don't call back a time before social media or mobile phones. Every bit a effect, they spend an average of x hours a mean solar day on their phone or tablet and watch Television set less than half as much as their Boomer grandparents.

Generation Z is sometimes called "The Founders" considering they are innovative and passionate. Several notable members have already launched successful websites, apps and businesses to address topics they care nigh. Their prowess at social media has besides given this generation a large platform to organize social movements, examples being the #NeverAgain motion in response to mass shootings at schools and the #MeToo motion, in response to sexual harassment.

Members of Gen Z are coming of age in a workplace that has been completely transformed by Millennials, and they seem unlikely to revert dorsum to the traditional roles and values held by Infant Boomers. How and when they settle down and raise families remains to exist seen.

How to Reach Generation Z

If yous want them to hear your message, consider the following:

• Go their attention through interesting and innovative campaigns.
  • Be honest in your advertizement. Gen Z knows a sales ad when they see it, don't endeavor to trick them.
• Avoid traditional advertising; they don't read magazines or watch T.V.
  • Gen Z loves YouTube, that'due south a far better way to achieve them.
• Keep updated with the latest social media channels and mediums; these teenagers are driving the latest trends.
  • TikTok is incredibly pop amid Generation Z. In fact, more than 40% of TikTok users are aged 16-24 and xc% of those users go on the app more than than one time a twenty-four hour period.

Breaking down America's three largest generations means making huge generalizations. These generations' size and multifariousness mean that marketers, business owners, and others need to narrow their focus in club to ensure their bulletin reaches the correct people. Don't forget, Baby Boomers, Millenials, and Gen Z are going to change equally they historic period, so keep yourself updated!

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