Talking 'Bout My Generation
Today began and ended with contemplation about generational differences (and obviously, some coffee and red wine).
This morning, as I was cleaning out my e-mail, I came across this MPR story about "Millennials in Mourning" (http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/01/15/daily-circuit-young-grief). While I had no intention of subjecting my gentle readers to yet another dead parent post, I had really strong reactions to this story, and thought I should perhaps examine them. What better way to shine a light on the dark recesses of my psyche than through my blog? Plus, I've been stumped lately about what to blog about, and as the saying goes, "write what you know."
I think this story hit me so hard because I wish I had been able to access these resources and support about experiencing grief when you're relatively young when my mom died. I'm actually annoyed and a little angry that I didn't. I don't think grief is ever easy, no matter how old you are, but I think it is more complicated when you are young and experiencing a loss that most of your friends and peers haven't yet.
I do question how this story frames grief as a unique experience of Millennials. I don't think generational differences impact grief (at least not over the death of a parent) as much as age and stage of life do. But perhaps Millennials are savvier about recognizing their needs and finding support? As a Gen-Xer, was I more likely to think I had to go it alone and just deal?
Ah, I could sit and theorize all night, which may be why I've been fascinated by the supposed differences between the generations since high school. Perhaps I am just a wannabe marketer or sociologist at heart. (Actually, I did want to major in sociology until I realized I would need to take statistics). My interest/obsession in generations also gets fed regularly at work where we often discuss how generational differences affect both library use and the workplace. So I was in my element tonight attending a meeting at church about generational differences and national trends in church participation and attendance.
While I find discussions of generational differences compelling, I always try to remember these are just generalizations. As we said repeatedly in tonight's forum, every individual is unique, and people are influenced not only by their age and their generation, but their gender, ethnicity, race, culture, genes, and daily caffeine consumption.
Rather than get bogged down on supposed specific differences between generations, I want to consider why these differences...whatever or whyever they are...matter. Actually, it's not the differences themselves so much as a thoughtful recognition that there are differences. People, individually and in groups, are different from us and the peeps we know and are comfortable with, and they will always be changing. Ways of doing and being that just seem normal and right to us aren't the same for everybody. This means our institutions, like work and church, will change. They may not even last, which will be really sad, but not necessarily an armageddon. And maybe something even better will come along.
At the very least, I'm sure we can sometimes learn something from someone of a different generation, and also appreciate our own little generational quirks. Or I better hope so, as my Generation X is severely outnumbered on both sides by the Baby Boomers and Millennials and they will probably join forces to plot against us and sacrifice us in the coming Zombie apocalypse. I should probably just go watch "The Breakfast Club" now.
This morning, as I was cleaning out my e-mail, I came across this MPR story about "Millennials in Mourning" (http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/01/15/daily-circuit-young-grief). While I had no intention of subjecting my gentle readers to yet another dead parent post, I had really strong reactions to this story, and thought I should perhaps examine them. What better way to shine a light on the dark recesses of my psyche than through my blog? Plus, I've been stumped lately about what to blog about, and as the saying goes, "write what you know."
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| Who would put these lads down? |
I do question how this story frames grief as a unique experience of Millennials. I don't think generational differences impact grief (at least not over the death of a parent) as much as age and stage of life do. But perhaps Millennials are savvier about recognizing their needs and finding support? As a Gen-Xer, was I more likely to think I had to go it alone and just deal?
Ah, I could sit and theorize all night, which may be why I've been fascinated by the supposed differences between the generations since high school. Perhaps I am just a wannabe marketer or sociologist at heart. (Actually, I did want to major in sociology until I realized I would need to take statistics). My interest/obsession in generations also gets fed regularly at work where we often discuss how generational differences affect both library use and the workplace. So I was in my element tonight attending a meeting at church about generational differences and national trends in church participation and attendance.
While I find discussions of generational differences compelling, I always try to remember these are just generalizations. As we said repeatedly in tonight's forum, every individual is unique, and people are influenced not only by their age and their generation, but their gender, ethnicity, race, culture, genes, and daily caffeine consumption.
Rather than get bogged down on supposed specific differences between generations, I want to consider why these differences...whatever or whyever they are...matter. Actually, it's not the differences themselves so much as a thoughtful recognition that there are differences. People, individually and in groups, are different from us and the peeps we know and are comfortable with, and they will always be changing. Ways of doing and being that just seem normal and right to us aren't the same for everybody. This means our institutions, like work and church, will change. They may not even last, which will be really sad, but not necessarily an armageddon. And maybe something even better will come along.
At the very least, I'm sure we can sometimes learn something from someone of a different generation, and also appreciate our own little generational quirks. Or I better hope so, as my Generation X is severely outnumbered on both sides by the Baby Boomers and Millennials and they will probably join forces to plot against us and sacrifice us in the coming Zombie apocalypse. I should probably just go watch "The Breakfast Club" now.
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