Every generation believes that the generation before was too rigid and conservative—and the generation after too wild and out-of-control.Speaking as a member of the generation after the Baby Boom, let me assure you that this generalization does not hold true. Any criticisms I would field toward nearby generations are, if anything, wholly reversed -- except that the 'rigidity' exhibited by the Millenials tends to be left-leaning rather than 'conservative.'
Insofar as it is useful to criticize a 'generation,' that is. There were, and are, lots of good folks in both.
Frankly, I think Ferguson got his degree through a coupon in the back of Psychology Today.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, writing as a Baby Boomer, it may be, Grim, that you and I are the aberrations....
Eric Hines
There are generational tendencies, which are fair to note, so long as one keeps in mind that these are percentages, not destiny. If Generation A shows a trait in 60% of its members while B shows it only 40%, that is a big difference, but at an individual level, neither is that far from 50-50.
ReplyDeleteThere is also likely some general tendency of toward caution as one ages, and greater risk when young. That could look like a conservative vs out-of-control culture as well. The effect is likely heightened from 1900 or WWI on as well, as there was significant growth of national communication, and thus, increased cultural consciousness.
Finally, going back 100 years or so, there was often a contrast between immigrant or frontier settler parents/grandparents and the generation born into the surrounding culture. The younger group would thus look "more modern," though the modernity might be simple difference and assimilation, rather than any cultural trend.
These are things that look like what Ferguson describes, yet on closer examination turn out to be something a bit different.
I think, in short, that he is misdescribing real things and attempting to force them into the same category. He's not completely wrong, but what he has provided doesn't have much explanatory power or use.
I went and looked him up. We probably should cut him some slack. His other articles at Time suggest that anti-bullying programs are a waste of time, video games and movie violence don't cause real violence, drinking soda is ridiculously blamed for too much, and that terrorists and mass shooters have a lot in common.
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