Definitions help us to speak about new learning with common language. Participants may not agree entirely with our definitions, or they may use different language among their peers, and that is fine as we develop our own common ground.

Each generation discussed here has been shaped by distinct cultural influences. While these examples primarily stem from North America and the UK, they share similarities with other regions like Australia. For insights specific to other areas, further research may be required.

• Silent Generation (born 1928-1945): This generation grew up receiving news through newspapers and radio. They were raised in the shadow of World War I, experienced the stock market crash of the 1920s, and endured the Great Depression of the 1930s. This era also witnessed the rise of jazz music. The Silent Generation was drawn into World War II (starting in 1939 for the UK and Canada, 1941 for the United States) and is often referred to as the Air Raid Generation in the UK. They mostly worked manual jobs, raised families, attended church, and lived within predominantly nuclear family structures.
• Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964): Born during the post-World War II boom, this generation experienced a period of economic growth and rapid technological advancement. This era also saw the dawn of space exploration and the American Civil Rights Movement. Baby Boomers witnessed or participated in significant conflicts like the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War. Technology began to transform both the workplace and home life. Family and community support structures, such as churches, remained central, though the introduction of birth control significantly influenced societal norms in later years.
• Generation X (born 1965-1980): This generation embraced the technological age and often grew up under the influence of television and other external factors as much as family traditions. They witnessed widespread layoffs as businesses downsized and reorganized, which affected many of their parents and peers. Generation X became known as “latchkey kids,” often letting themselves into their homes after school due to having two working parents or being raised by a single parent. Their cultural experience was marked by Sony Walkmans, microwaves, VHS tapes, and MTV. Issues related to race, gender, sexuality, and class became more prominent. Higher education began to be viewed as a standard expectation rather than a privilege for the wealthy.
• Millennials (born 1981-1996): This generation is named for their entry into the workforce around the turn of the millennium. They spent significant time engaging with home-based computers and the internet, immersed in a culture of digital games and widespread ownership of personal phones, especially cell phones. Technology is so integral to their lives that it’s difficult for them to imagine a world without it. Millennials are also concerned about climate change, safety, and security. They have grown up with the constant threat of violence, such as school shootings, workplace conflicts, and the aftermath of 9/11, alongside economic instability. This generation questions the traditional path of pursuing a four-year degree as a guaranteed route to a good job, looking skeptically at the previous generation’s expectations.

Generation Z (born 1997-2012): As the first generation of true digital natives, Generation Z has been immersed in digital technology, social media, mobile networks, and smartphones from a young age. They are socially conscious, value principles, and are deeply committed to seeking truth. In the workplace, they are pragmatic, analytical, and comfortable with innovation and change. Generation Z favors flexible work arrangements and feels capable of working from any location.