Boomers, Millennials, Gene z and the new ones Beta. The differences between each generation are many: from habits, tastes and ways of socializing, to interaction with new technologies. It is no accident that children born after January 1, 2025 are called “the generation of artificial intelligence”.
To date, there are 9 generations that have been called. The first 4 are defined with a specific adjective, while the following 5 carry the logic of the alphabetical sequence (X, Y, Z, Alfa, Beta). Over time, the characterization approach became more systematic and linear. The alphabetical sequence reflects a simpler and more orderly structure to classify generations that evolve rapidly due to technological advances and changes in society. Now, let’s review each generation.
1 | The lost generation
1883-1900
The expression “lost generation” was a term coined by the American author and poet Gertrude Stein, and subsequently popularized by Hemingway, to refer to a group of writers and artists born between 1883 and 1900, a time of disappointment. The social and political events broke with many traditions and modified the way of life, which led to a sense of loss of identity. Among them are Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, James Joyce, John Dos Passos, John Steinbeck and William Faulkner.
2 | The great generation
1901-1927
The “great generation” covers those born between 1901 and 1927who lived the great depression in the late 20s and early 30s, and fought in World War II.
In 1998, the term was retaken by journalist Tom Bakow in his homonymous book The Greatest Generation (The great generation), with which he referred to the Americans who lived the economic disaster of the 20s and faced an especially dark period of Western history. He also referred to this generation as the “GI generation”, in reference to the acronym ‘Galvanized Iron‘(Galvanized iron), used to describe the soldiers of the US Army and Aviators of the Air Forces. This generation fought for freedom and democracy against the forces of totalitarianism, and was characterized by a strong sense of duty, patriotism, resistance and solidarity.
3 | Silent generation
1928-1945
In 1951, the magazine Time He used the term “silent generation” to refer to the generation of young adults who, during World War II, preferred to remain silent to avoid accusations of unfair, communism or betrayal of the country. This generation grew with the scars of the Great War, lived the years of the great depression and was also present at the beginning of World War II. It has been renamed it as ‘silent’ because, unlike the previous and posterior generations, it was not associated with especially revolutionary social movements. This demographic group grew at a time when it was dangerous, or at least inappropriate, to express publicly.
Those born between 1928 and 1945 lived the rise of the automobile industry and the beginning of the television erawhile experiencing the first technological advances, including the appearance of the first computers.
4 | Boomers
1946-1964
The Baby Boomersor simply boomers, They are born after World War II. They are called that because they represent the call boom economic of the time. They are one of the most numerous generations in recent history, due to the increase in birth rates between 1946 and 1963. During this period, society did not have to face great economic crises and saw the pacifist and environmental movement born.
This generation lived important historical and social events, such as the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, the Movement hippie of the 60s and 70s, the space race and the rise of television as a dominant means of communication. According to the next generation, the Boomers They are the most closed to new approaches, extremely indifferent to the future of youth and little familiar with technology.
The collective exodus of X, Instagram and Facebook marks a crucial moment for Millennialswhich are overcoming the constant need to be connected to the platforms.
5 | Generation x
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1965-1980
Generation X was the first to associate with a letter of the alphabet. The name is linked to its main characteristic: the absence of a well -defined social and cultural identity. The expression was coined in 1991 by the writer Douglas Coupland in his novel Generation X: Tales for an accelerated culture (X Generation: Tales for an accelerated culture), and refers to an ‘invisible’ population, but also in transition.
On average, this generation has more ecological knowledge than the previous ones, because it was marked by problems such as Chernobil or the ozone layer hole. Those born between 1965 and 1980 faced the student protests of October 2, 1968 in Mexico, the hot autumn of 1969 and the energy crises of 1973 and 1979.
6 | Generation and o Millennials
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1981-1996
Commonly called Millennialsthey are the ones who lived the arrival of the 2000s. They grew in an era characterized by digital technology, with the arrival of the Internet and the development of social networks and mobile devices. The young people of the generation and were the first to have the opportunity to connect globally through social platforms and international travel.
The Millennials They are very aware of world problems, such as climate change, and therefore usually associate with a strong sense of social and environmental activism. The Y is also a generation that has experienced several changes in the work world, such as the rise of autonomous work and the new social -related professions. After the financial crisis of 2008, they included the importance of conciliation between working and family life, as well as the new business dynamics. It is also characterized by a feeling of insecurity issued by various factors, such as terrorist attacks, which in turn led them to a concept of “living to the limit”, applied to their psycho -affective life.
7 | Gene generation
1997-2012
Generation Z consists of people born in the late 90s and early 21st century. They are the first to enjoy Internet access from childhood, so they are also called “digital natives.” They are familiar with tablets and smartphonesbut they are also interested in social and political issues for which they express their support in social networks. They are sensitive to diversity, inclusion and the environment.
Some famous exponents of the Z generation are Billie Eilish, Kylie Jenner, Olivia Rodrigo, Gaten Matarazzo and Finn Wolhard.
8 | ALFA GENERATION
2013-2024
If the gene generation is that of digital natives, the alpha generation becomes directly that of the Screenagersterm that indicates the massive presence of digital screens in their growth trajectory and as the center of their interactions.
Alpha generation is growing at the same time as artificial intelligence, making it an integral part of its perception of reality, learning and work. The Screenagers The great problems of climate and technological change live in the first personbut they have also experienced the difficulty of growing and developing interactions in the middle of a pandemic, a period that marked them as individuals in an unexpected digital society.
9 | Beta generation
2025-2039
The beta generation includes those born from 2025 and, conventionally, until 2039. Having come to the world in the era of the full development of artificial intelligence, there are no doubt that they will grow up learning to integrate it into their daily livesmaking it an essential part of his being and living. They will be able to exploit it in ways that we can barely imagine.
Article originally published in Wired Italy. Adapted by Alondra Flores.
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