Do generations matter?

The media loves dealing in generational differences. “How Gen Z is changing the workplace,” screams the headline. Or “The reality behind Millennials' spending habits”. But are such generational divides real? Does every new generation need something to push back against to achieve true progress? Or should we all be working together at a time when humanity faces existential challenges? To ponder the issues, we hear from:

Cristina Leandro da Silva, 22, Brussels-based project assistant for ThinkYoung, a not-for-profit organisation that works to improve the lives of young people in Europe and Africa through research and impact programmes.

Veronica Martin, 58, founder of Beyond Our Youth in the UK, which provides support for young people to set up their own charitable initiatives and social enterprises.

Michael Clinton, 69, former president and publishing director of Hearst Magazines, author of Roar: Into the Second Half of Your Life (Before it's Too Late) and founder of ROAR Forward, a platform that is “reimagining the 50-plus experience”.

Personally, I don't like stereotypes. Yes, some articles tell us that we're very fragile and maybe more sensitive than previous generations in the sense of being concerned about climate change or some social issues, but I don't think that's a negative thing. We're also open about discussing mental-health issues and seeking help; we aren't afraid to show our emotions and our weaknesses. And I think this is a huge difference from previous generations.

No, the only person who says that is my mother. She was born in 1939, came to the UK from Jamaica in the 1960s and took on four jobs. Her husband, my dad, got fed up and left, so she brought up four children on her own, including me. She always looks at me and says: “Well, you've only got one job, I had four!” But I don't believe in labels, I think of myself as a hybrid. My motto is to transcend generations, refuse to be defined by your age and always keep learning.

Yeah, guilty as charged, but it's a bit of a generalisation. The one thing I will say about the Baby Boomer generation that often gets lost is that we were the original activists. In the US, we marched against the Vietnam War; we broke open the sexual revolution for sexual freedom and expression; we created Earth Day; we were on the front lines of the women's movement, the civil rights movement, the LGBTQ+ movement… On these we're the front-runners. So, a lot of the progress being made today was really sparked by the Boomers back in the 70s, when they really disrupted the cultures. And you know, I think that's a great lesson for the next generations because a lot of the progress that has been made could maybe not have been made without those building blocks.

I totally agree with Michael. I think it's essential to strike a balance between respecting the wisdom and experiences of previous generations while also challenging certain norms and beliefs that may continue to perpetuate injustice. But in general, I don't think we should blame previous generations and push against them. Of course, I think each generation had different problems with regard to the period they were living in. For example, my grandfathers lived during the Second World War and the years of reconstruction, so all of their concerns were related to that. And my parents had different types of problems related to the countries they were living in. My mother is Italian and as a teen she experienced the so-called “Years of Lead” in Italy: a time of political tension and terrorist attacks. So overall, I think we shouldn't push against previous generations, we should collaborate with them for our future and that of the next generation.

I don't like the phrase “generations”. I think we've got to get to know each other. I was born in 1965 and I had the privilege of growing up with a Jamaican father and a mother who's still alive and is part of the silent generation. My sister is a Baby Boomer, I'm Generation X and I'm in contact with Millennials and Gen Z. I'm very lucky. I have the sense and the substance of what it means to bring all these generations together, and in doing that we will create a greater good for society. That's what we need. Whether it's climate change or mental health, we need to learn from each other.

I think there's a whole body of work that's being done in the research world, that this notion of demography is not good for society and getting along with each other. It tries to generalise and stereotype individuals. Of course, world events and what we're born into shape our thoughts and attitudes, but we're not one-dimensional within the context of our generation. So, I think demography is going to become less and less relevant. I like to look at behaviour and attitude. You know, once upon a time you were told at 65 that you should retire, and it was the beginning of the end. But in today's world, you've got a lot of 65-year-olds who are launching new businesses and careers, going back to school, running marathons, and this is the antithesis of what that “generation” is supposed to be doing. Let's move off demography and into attitudes, behaviours and shared characteristics with other generations. That's where I think we should go.

Veronica: I'm positive about the future, I really am, and I've worked hard to make sure that there's a change in terms of relationships between different generations. So with Beyond Our Youth it's about making sure that senior leaders and the younger leaders coming up talk to each other and socialise together. It's not about senior leaders talking at young people, it's about senior leaders understanding where they're coming from and focusing on things like reverse mentoring to learn from them.

Cristina: I don't know if it's because I'm generally really optimistic about life, but I'm also really positive about the future. I think all the generations can and should collaborate. I also think that as young people we have a crucial and powerful voice in society. We are the future leaders of the world; we should be heard in society, and I think we will be heard. I'm positive about that.

Michael: I think that often the generation that comes right after a generation feels they have to shake it up, live up to them, break them down. Sometimes when you skip a generation, there's more connection. Think about that in the context of your grandchildren, or your nieces or nephews, or your cohorts. And I think that creates a mending process across generations. Listen, if we're all going to live to be 90 and 100 years old, which is really what is happening now in the developed world, then we have to create role models for the future. I want a 15-year-old today to say, “Oh, you can do that at 60, you can do that at 70, you can do that at 80.” That gives a different perspective.

Michael: Barbie, it's all about Barbie. I don't know if you've seen what's been happening in the US, and I think also in other countries. You have grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren all going to see the film Barbie. It's incredible to watch women of all generations dressed up in pink. And they're people of colour and multicultural people and white people because what's been happening with Barbie over the years is that she's represented all groups, all people, and so I'm seeing how something like a movie can bring generations together in a joyous moment. And the moment this summer is all about Barbie.

Veronica: I'm Jamaican, so I always go back to what my mum taught me because the motto of Jamaica is “Out of Many, One People”. And that means diversity, equity, inclusion, ages, everything… we're working together to make a better world. It sounds like a song!

Cristina: I think we have a lot of shared values, for example, respect, compassion and justice. But we also have a lot of traditions and nostalgic elements like music and retro movies that are very fashionable. So, I think these will be the elements that bring generations together.