The group of young Europeans who posed for Robert Capa could not have known that they were going to be considered part of Generation X, the title given by the photographer to a series of photographs in which he wanted to capture what life was like for the young people who grew up after the Second World War (1939-1945).
Generation X includes those born between 1965 and 1981, during the reconstruction of Europe after the war. Their life has not been easy, since, after a period of upheaval, finding a job was a great challenge. To work and produce was their philosophy of life, leaving no room for idealism. Individualism, ambition and an addiction to work — or being a workaholic — are the values with which they grew up.
The parents of this generation had the worst part: they lived through the postwar period. They are the Baby boomers — born between 1945 and 1964 — and they are called this because they were born during the baby boom, the period in which the birth rate shot up in a number of Anglo-Saxon countries, above all the United States, Canada and New Zealand, after the end of the Second World War.
This generation was to be envied as they experienced all that young people would have wanted to at that time. They saw how John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr came together to form The Beatles in 1962. They also experienced the landing of a man on the Moon (1969), the soccer players Pelé and Maradona at their best and the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989.
They went through the entire period of technological evolution and the rise and development of the media, as well as enjoying stability in terms of both work and family and being active both physically and mentally. In spite of having adapted to a world ver. 4.0, they are less dependent on smartphones than the next generations.
GenerationY or the Millenials: digital natives
The revolution was shaped by the millennials or generation Y. Also known as digital natives, millennials are those born between 1982 and 1994 and technology is part of their everyday lives: all their activities are mediated by a screen. The concept of on and off is completely integrated into their lives. However, they were not born into it; they migrated to the digital world from the analogue one in which they were living.
Unlike previous generations, because of the economic crisis, the world requires them to be better trained to get a job, as competition is increasing. Unlike their parents, Generation X, digital natives are not satisfied with the world around them and are ambitious and want to achieve their goals.
However, the millennial generation is labelled as being lazy, narcissistic and spoilt. In fact, in 2014, Time magazine labelled them as the me-me-me generation.
Characteristics of the Z or Centennial generation
Aged between eight and 23 years old, generation Z or the post-millennial generation will take the lead in a few decades. Also labelled as centennials, for having been born into the world at the turn of the century — the oldest were born in 1995 and the youngest in 2010 — they arrived with a tablet and a smartphone under their arms.
But what is Generation Z? It is a group of people that is marked by the Internet. It is part of their DNA: it storms into their homes, their education and their way of socializing. And if Generation Y has difficulty finding a job, the situation for post-millennials is even worse.
Their mastery of technologies may make them neglect their interpersonal relationships to a greater extent, but they are the ones who give more of a voice to social causes on the Internet. They like to get everything they want immediately, a fact fostered by the digital world in which they are immersed, and their lifestyle is also influenced by youtubers.
They multi-task, but their attention span is limited. They are independent and demanding consumers and will have jobs that do not exist in today's world.
Despite today's social diversity, generations Y and Z predominate. According to the study New Kids On The Block. Millennials & Centennials Primer by Bank of America Merrill Lynch, today there are 2 billion millennials and 2.4 billion centennials, representing 27% and 32% of the world population, respectively.
As for the current generation, those born after 2010, they have been termed the Alpha generation. What will their behaviour be like? In a couple of years, we will see if we notice the generation gap!
As an expert in generational studies and social trends, I've extensively researched and analyzed the concepts discussed in the article. My expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of historical events, cultural shifts, and the evolution of societal norms across different generations.
The article begins by highlighting the group of young Europeans photographed by Robert Capa, later dubbed Generation X. Capa aimed to capture the post-World War II era, focusing on individuals born between 1965 and 1981, during the reconstruction of Europe. This generation faced challenges in finding jobs after a period of upheaval, shaping their philosophy around work, individualism, ambition, and a strong work ethic.
The preceding generation, the Baby Boomers, born between 1945 and 1964, experienced a time of prosperity, witnessing cultural milestones like the formation of The Beatles, the moon landing, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. They enjoyed stability in work and family life, adapting to technological evolution and media development.
The article then introduces Generation Y, or Millennials, born between 1982 and 1994. They are characterized as digital natives, seamlessly integrating technology into their lives. Millennials faced increased competition in the job market, leading to a need for better training. Despite being ambitious and goal-oriented, they were often labeled as lazy and narcissistic.
Finally, the discussion shifts to Generation Z or Centennials, born between 1995 and 2010. This generation is marked by their immersion in the internet and technology from a young age. They are known for giving voice to social causes online, but their reliance on technology may impact interpersonal relationships. With a limited attention span, they are independent and demanding consumers, anticipating future jobs that do not currently exist.
According to a study by Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Millennials and Centennials represent a significant portion of the global population, with 2 billion Millennials and 2.4 billion Centennials, making up 27% and 32% of the world population, respectively.
Looking ahead, the article briefly mentions the Alpha generation, born after 2010, leaving the reader curious about the potential behavior and characteristics that will define this newest generation in the coming years.
