What Does Generation Mean? Baby Boomers, Generations X, Y, Z and Alpha

Generation Z like this, generation Y like this, generation X experienced that, OK boomer, in recent years, people have been confused about what will happen to generation alpha. It’s normal because these terms, which were known only to social scientists until recently, are now known and talked about by all of us. Many people even find out what generation they are from. production and consumption habits. started to change.

good too what does it all mean, what does generation mean? As we lead our daily lives, none of us actually realize what generation we are a member of or how history is currently being processed. Specialists deal with such details and try to obtain certain data by classifying people who have lived throughout history. Let’s get to know Baby Boomers, X, Y, Z and Alpha generations closely, through the question of what generation is.

What does generation mean?

Generation, also known as generation and generation; born in a certain year range, affected by similar social events. and as a result it is a term used to classify individuals who have acquired certain habits. It is mostly used by social scientists to make sense of mass movements. However, it has been used by everyone lately.

Let’s get to know the living generations:

• baby boomers
• X generation
• Generation Y
• Generation Z
• alpha generation

Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964:

• They were born between 1946 and 1964.
• They are the main consumers of traditional media such as television, radio, newspapers and magazines.
• 90% of them have a Facebook account.
• They use technology to stay in touch with family members and old friends.
• They prefer to go to the branch for bank transactions.
• They prefer to use cash for small purchases.
• They were born into the optimism experienced after the Second World War.
• They fell into the Cold War.
• They created the hippie culture and fell into it.
• They choose to help their children until they are on the right track.
• They do not think of leaving a legacy.
• The depreciation of pensions is their biggest problem.

Generation X born between 1965 and 1980:

• They were born between 1965 and 1980.
• Although inactive, they still read magazines and newspapers, listen to the radio and watch television.
• It has digital information.
• They are the generation that spends the most time on Facebook.
• Although they use internet banking, they prefer to go to the branch for important transactions.
• They show brand loyalty.
• They saw the last years of the Cold War.
• They witnessed the rise of personal computers.
• They felt lost between two great generations.
• They care about starting a family.
• They pay off mortgage debt with most of their income.
• Creating a stable savings plan for the future by reducing their debts is their biggest problem.

Generation Y, born between 1981 and 1996:

• They were born between 1981 and 1996.
• Most of them actively watch television.
• They have a high interest in Netflix and similar platforms.
• They are comfortable using mobile devices.
• They prefer to do their online shopping over the computer.
• They have multiple social media accounts.
• Brand loyalty is low.
• They prefer to buy products according to their characteristics.
• They are impatient with unproductive products.
• They trust big brands like Apple and Google.
• They use the digital tools of banks.
• They do not establish a relationship with the bank, they use it at the transactional level.
• They experienced the 2008-2012 Global Economic Crisis.
• They have witnessed the rise of the internet and social media.
• They experienced the effects of the September 11 attacks.
• They are the largest provider of the current workforce.
• They still cannot buy a house because they have paid their student debts.
• They prefer on-demand jobs and services.
• They prefer easy access over ownership.
• They are looking for partners to guide them in big purchases.
• Financial instability is their biggest problem.

Generation Z born between 1997 and 2012:

• They were born between 1997 and 2012.
• Most got their first cell phone when they were 10 years old.
• They grew up playing with their parents’ cell phones and tablets.
• Smartphones are the main communication preferences.
• They spend at least 3 hours a day with mobile devices.
• They are fiscally conservative as they see millennials struggling.
• They avoid borrowing.
• They use debit cards and mobile banking.
• They were born into the smartphone and social media.
• Although they did not see an active war, they fell into an environment where there was always conflict.
• They witnessed their families’ financial struggles.
• They care about financial education.
• They open savings accounts at a young age.

Alpha generation born between 2012 and 2025:

• They were born and will be born between 2012 and 2025.
• They were born into a world where technology is ubiquitous.
• They fell within the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Due to the pandemic, his relations with the school are limited.
• With the effect of the pandemic, they turned to online education and adopted it.
• They owned some digital assets even before they were born.
• They are natives of the digital world.
• They are thought to be the most highly educated and wealthiest generation.
• They fell into social justice movements.
• It is thought that they will be completely away from the idea of ​​cash.
• E-commerce will always be their first choice.

What are the main differences between generations?

When we look at the prominent features of Baby Boomers, X, Y, Z and Alpha generations, there are We see that the main reasons for the differences are economy and technology. The belief of the Baby Boomers born after the war that they can get something by working has drowned the X generation in mortgage debts.

Due to the debt-paying life of the X generation, the Y generation has acquired some inheritance from their family, but He borrowed money to earn a living. Generation Y entered into a constant financial struggle as they fell into a fast-paced consumption world, and therefore taught Generation Z to be thrifty about the economy.

Although the world of internet and social media, which generation Z has fallen into, disconnects them from reality a little, paved the way for the development of the digital world. The Alpha generation has unfortunately been completely disconnected from reality as it fell into the pandemic. It is thought that the Alpha generation, who are children now, will be completely digital world-oriented in the future.

Generations in Turkey:

Since almost all of the research on Baby Boomers, X, Y, Z and Alpha generations is based in the United States and European Union countries, the definitions may sometimes not be suitable for our country. Social scientists in Turkey Unfortunately, he evaluates generations on the basis of military coups.

The establishment of the republic, the one-party period, the military coup of May 27, 1960, the environment of internal conflict, the military coup of September 12, 1980, the complicated times of the 90s, February 28 process, complex election periods, The Gezi events, the coup attempt on July 15, 2016, the economic difficulties and many more are events that determine the characteristics of the generations in our country.

Older generations say they don’t get hit with young people, new generations say they don’t care about older generations He says they have never seen a time when the economy was this bad. No matter where we hold it, unfortunately, it seems that no generation that has lived in our beautiful country has had a problem-free day. Let’s not lose hope for better days.

On the question of what generation means We reviewed Baby Boomers, X, Y, Z and Alpha generations and we talked about the situation of generations in our country. You can share your thoughts about generations and their features in the comments.