It's Time to Move Beyond the Great Generational Divide
by Kari Dunn Saratovsky on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 11:38
Yesterday our friends over at the National Conference on Citizenship turned up the heat when they posed the question, “What’s in a Generation: are stereotypes being replaced by a society wide call to do good? “ I say, let’s hope so.
About two and a half years ago when Social Citizens was just a kernel of an idea, we saw our society begin to shift in a way that was more accepting of openness and transparency – be it in government, in the workplace, or even the nonprofit sector. We saw a new social marketplace being born where goods and services were exchanged not just for money and profit but for good social outcomes. We saw the adoption of technology explode as social networks began springing up everywhere keeping us connected 24-7.
While generational generalities are difficult to make, since not all people of the same age have the same characteristics and life experiences – we do know there are patterns that define us. I believe many of the above examples were heavily influenced by the rising generation of Millennials. However, with my parents on Facebook, and my 95 year old grandma playing wii bowling with her neighbors, there are certain patterns of behavior which transcend generations. And while these technological advancements have in large part either been created by or heavily adopted by my peers, they are impacting the way that all of us do business, elect our public officials, and make choices about how we give back to our communities.
What I appreciate about the conversation over on NCOC is not just their leading question, but the questions that follow – is it really important to continue the debate over which generation is “better” or “more civic minded” or is it time to put those aside and recognize our collective power, and the tools available to us to help meet some of society’s most pressing needs? Call me an idealistic Millennial but I think this is where we must go if we are to realize change in our communities and around the world.
I think we’ve made great progress in bridging sectors and building public-private partnerships. Now is the time for greater understanding and appreciation across generations. There’s much that can be learned if we open our minds – and there’s much we have to share if people are willing to listen.
For some expert and diverse perspectives over on NCOC, I encourage you to take a look at what authors and sociologists Morley Winnograd and Michael Hais, and Pete Peterson of Common Sense California have added to the conversation. What are ways that you have worked with members of other generations to do good? How have you seen people defy the characteristics of their generation to achieve change?
Comments
Kari, thanks so much for this post. I particularly like your reference to thinking about cross-generation collaborations in the same way we are beginning to recognize the value of public-private partnerships. With Millennials and GenX both making valuable civic contributions with their unique attributes and characteristics, it is also so exciting to think about what the upcoming generation of Social Citizens will bring to light for social good... it makes me very hopeful for the future.
Ms. Saratovsky,
Thank you for bringing my attention to the National Conference on Citizenship and the work of Winnograd, Hais, and Peterson. I was not yet acquainted with those individuals or the conference. I appreciate the education.
That said, I must take issue with the overall intent of your message. While I certainly share your enthusiasm for overcoming differences -- and I agree that there is much ado about nothing regarding the "great generational divide" between Xers and Millennials -- I none the less feel that it would be a terrible mistake to simply, as you put it, "...put those [distinctions] aside and recognize our collective power," etc. There are tremendous imbalances between (some) generations, and it is unwise to deny that reality. We cannot improve our situation by ignoring mass inequities in generational power and privilege.
It is my contention that the "divide" between Xers and Millennials is a moot point; it's utterly insignificant, especially when contrasted against the real power-brokers of our era: the baby-boomers. Statistical data from a multitude of sources indicates that the "now generation" have enjoyed unprecedented economic, social, and political dominance in just about every aspect of American society for well-on half a century. Anecdotally, I will refer you to the generational differences between cost of living, transportation, health care, education, housing, and buying power, as well as heightened exposure to violence, environmental degradation, and various forms of media extremism.
If you require more tangible evidence, please read this excellence series of investigative articles from the Philadelphia Inquirer emphasizing the post baby-boomer malaise of the Xers:
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/hot_topics/80284777.html
Similarly, here is a less-than-hopeful report from The Nation regarding the ticking timebomb that is Millennial unemployment:
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20091123/ratner
So, Ms. Saratovsky, I must respectfully disagree with you -- it is most definitely NOT time to "move beyond" our differences. Responsible public policy demands an accurate accounting of power, lest we continue the failed practices of the past. We must begin to seriously acknowledge the many ways in which this overtly self-centered baby-boomer generation, in particularly, has systematically undermined the development and prosperity of both Xers and Millennials for decades, or we will surely live to regret it. As the saying goes, if you want peace you must work for justice.
By the way, your language is littered with the ubiquitous catchphrases of late-capitalism -- "social marketplace," "bridging sectors," "public-private partnerships," etc. I'm not one to complain over word choice, necessarily, but I'm also not so naive as to think this is an innocuous accident. I encourage you to reconsider adopting the baby-boomer lexicon of a fundamentally bankrupt ideology. It's no coincidence, for example, that "social" serves in a decidedly diminished capacity as an adjective to the subject noun, "marketplace." The words themselves reveal their bias, don't you think?
Thanks again for the article. I will be reading along from afar.
Regards,
rynsa
Kari,
This is part of the leadership pillar discussion in Noble County Indiana's Thr!ve Noble County initiative that is based on the Hometown Competitiveness template. We are recognizing that generational transitions of community and service are critical to the life and health of our rural county.
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