ISLAMABAD: With the start of the year 2025, a new generation of humanity has begun.
Social researcher Mark McCrindle, who came up with the definition of many of these labels, wrote in a blog post, “While Generation Alpha has experienced the rise of smart technology and artificial intelligence, Generation Beta will live in an era where AI and automation are fully embedded in everyday life—from education and workplaces to healthcare and entertainment”, First Post reported.
The Greatest Generation (GI Generation): Born 1901–1927
This generation lived through the Great Depression and then went off to fight in World War II. Notably, they popularised jazz and swing music, according to Parents.
The Silent Generation: Born 1928–1945
The silent generation famously got their name for being so conformist that they were silent through the MacCarthy era when the fear of Communism swept the country. During this era, kids were expected to earn their way through life using a strong work ethic.
Baby Boom Generation: Born 1946–1964
Gen Z may think of Baby Boomers as their out-of-touch grandparents (as in “OK, Boomer”), but this generation actually had a wild youth we often don’t talk about. Boomers are named for the population “boom” that occurred after WWII, and many young people of this generation defied their parents, protested the Vietnam War, and created the “Summer of Love.”
Generation X: Born 1965–1980
So often dismissed as the slacker generation, Generation X lived through the AIDS epidemic, MTV culture.
Millennial Generation or Generation Y: Born 1981–1996
Millennials lived through 9/11, remember when Amazon only sold books, and are also the first generation to know a childhood both with and without the internet, which now plays a significant role in their personal lives.
Generation Z or iGen: Born 1997–2010
Generation Z kids are the first to be born into a world where they know nothing besides constant connection to one another, albeit through phones, screens, and tablets. However, like millennials before them, Gen Z’ers are often environmentally conscious, inclusive and accepting of others, and extremely politically aware—despite many of them not yet being of voting age.
Generation Alpha: Born 2010-2024
Kids born between 2010 and 2024 are part of Generation Alpha. They’re the first generation of kids who will never know a time when social media didn’t exist, and they’re far more tech-savvy than any generation previously, which is a powerful tool that can change humanity in myriad positive ways. On the flip side, this reliance on technology could lead to reduced attention spans and fewer in-person connections.
Generation Beta: Born 2025-2039
Kids born in 2025 and beyond are part of Generation Beta, though it’s too soon to know anything about them yet. They’ll likely be tech-savvy and socially conscious, similar to Generation Alpha, and they might prioritise adaptability, individuality, and sustainability. Unlike past generations, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital connectivity will likely be woven into their daily lives.
Like the generations that came before them, every passing year will shape the cultural perception of who they are.
