Are You A Millennial or A Gen-Z? Here’s How to Know
A generation is a group of people born around the same time and raised around the same place. People in this “birth cohort” exhibit similar characteristics, preferences, and values over their lifetimes.
According to a report by Ezra Legal.com, lifestyle embodies how people live, including their interests, habits, and priorities, influenced significantly by generational perspectives.
Each generation is defined by its unique set of values, economic conditions, and technological advancements; and has a distinct approach to lifestyle that encompasses youth culture, travel, work-life balance, health, wealth, friendships, and the principle of living within means.
Here’s a summary of the generations and their lifestyles:
▪︎Gen X—those born between 1965 and 1980
Value of Direct Social Interactions: Older generations emphasize traditional social connections, valuing face-to-face interactions and community involvement.
Their lifestyle choices are often influenced by established relationships and direct social engagement.
Financial Prudence and Traditional Work Ethic: These generations typically adhere to a more traditional work ethic, with a focus on financial stability and saving for retirement. They prioritize financial security, often balancing the desire for a comfortable life with the necessity of living within their means.
Wealth as Security: For older generations, wealth accumulation is often associated with security and the ability to support family and future generations.
Their lifestyle choices reflect a careful balance between enjoying the present and preparing for the future.
▪︎Millennials- people born between 1981 and 1996
Seeking Flexibility and Purpose: Millennials challenge the work-until-you-drop mentality, advocating for jobs that provide both personal and professional satisfaction.
They value work-life balance, often seeking opportunities that allow them to blend personal interests and professional growth.
Health-Conscious and Experience-Driven: This generation invests in health and wellness, prioritizing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. They prefer spending on experiences over material goods, seeking fulfillment in travel, leisure, and personal development activities.
Ethical Wealth: Millennials view wealth as a means to achieve a balanced and purposeful life. They are conscious of their social and environmental impact, favoring investments in socially responsible businesses and sustainable practices.
▪︎ Generation Z (Gen Z also known as “Zoomers”)- people born between 1997 and 2012
Digital Natives with a Global Perspective: For the youngest generations, technology is a fundamental part of life, shaping their social interactions, education, and access to information.
They value global connectivity, often considering travel not just as leisure but as a form of education and self-improvement. Sustainability and ethical living guide their lifestyle choices, from consumption habits to travel destinations.
Work-Life Balance and Holistic Health: Gen Z places a strong emphasis on mental and physical health, seeking careers that offer flexibility and purpose over traditional success metrics.
They prefer experiences that enhance their quality of life, investing in health and wellness both as a personal priority and a social statement.
Redefining Wealth: For them, wealth is not just about accumulation but is instrumental in achieving personal fulfillment and making a positive societal impact. This generation is drawn to careers and investments that align with their values, focusing on sustainable and ethical growth.
Many argue that Gen Z is defined by its anxiety. In some ways, Gen Z-ers are unusual. Young people today are less likely to form relationships than those of yesteryear.
They are more likely to be depressed or say they were assigned the wrong sex at birth. They are less likely to drink, have sex, or be in a relationship— according to official data. Mr Haidt lays the blame on smartphones and the social media they enable.
▪︎Gen B or Baby Boomers – People born from 1945 to 1964
Baby Boomers got their moniker from the “baby boom” that followed the Second World War: There are 76 million Baby Boomers.
Known for their post-World War II optimism, Baby Boomers were largely shaped by the Cold War, Vietnam War, and Civil Rights, hippie, and yuppie movements.
Boomers generally value interpersonal communication, Psychology Today notes, but are still largely fluent with technology.
Baby Boomers have the highest divorce rate in American history and the second-highest marriage rate. Boomers are regarded as driven, especially financially, to the point of often being criticized as greedy. They were one of the first generations to popularize the “live to work” lifestyle.
▪︎Silent Generation- People born from 1925 to 1945
Silent Generation, a generation of people sandwiched between the “Greatest Generation,” which fought World War II, and the “baby boomers,” the generation born during the surge in births in the United States and other countries in the years immediately following the war.
The range of birth years ascribed to the Silent Generation varies slightly according to the generational scheme employed, beginning with either 1925, 1928, or 1929 and ending with either 1942 or 1945.
In the early 2020s, the Silents were mostly in their 80s and 90s.