[NOTE: I started this Substack to share my advice/thoughts on surviving divorce, but some weeks I just don’t have much to say about that. So I introduced a twist on things and just share my thoughts on other issues. Pick your own wine as I share a whine with you.]
WHY do we even have names for different generations? What is even the point of putting people into cubbyholes because of when they were born? When did each generation become a monolith instead of individuals? And why do people spend so much time bashing other generations?
I am really, REALLY sick and tired of hearing about how Baby Boomers are responsible for every societal ill in the United States and things will just blossom once they’re all gone. Or how Gen X suffered the most (no, y’all weren’t the first or even the last generation to drink out of the garden hose). Or how Millennials are lazy and entitled (“everyone got a trophy”). And so on and so forth. Why do people need to “blame” someone or an entire generation for whatever they’re angry or upset about? How does that help anyone?
Recently, I seem to be hearing/reading more and more about this silliness. The Facebook page I follow that I’ve written about before has all sorts of finger pointing going on and it’s just frustrating. What is even the point of whining and blaming others unless you’re going to propose solutions? Time and time again I see (for some reason always men) saying how today’s youth is suffering high housing costs and are making less money than their parents because Boomers are greedy and have created this wealth division. When I ask them what they think Boomer should do (die? retire and overwhelm Social Security and other social nets? move to a cabin in the woods?), they suddenly go silent. They want to complain without offering solutions.
I had to laugh at a Millennial on Instagram who quoted Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” to point the finger at Gen X folks blaming them for who knows what. I had to point out that Billy Joel was a Boomer and the stuff he was talking about happened under the watch of the Silent Generation. Basically every generation can blame the past generations for current problems our society is dealing with. But why? Why is even necessary? How about taking what we have today and trying to make it better?
Personally, I like to surround myself with positive people. Sure, things aren’t perfect; they never have been and they never will be. But rather than sit around and whine, go out and find a solution. Back in the day there was a saying “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” I think that’s still true today. Every generation is made up of individuals, and they all have their positive aspects and their negative aspects. I’d much prefer to focus on the good things about each generation.
I found this great illustration, and while it focuses on the workplace, I found it useful to show what each generation values and what they bring to society. (Note: I did cut out the bottom part of the illustration since it was related to how to manage each generation in the workplace; the whole article can be found here: Generational Differences and Strengths)
So, yeah. Let’s focus on the good each generation brings to not only the workplace, but to our society as a whole. Let’s try to find ways to uplift each other. Let’s forget the whole intergenerational battles so many people want to bring up. Remember, it takes great courage to be an optimist. Let’s be courageous and celebrate our differences and strengths. Work together instead of being at each other’s throats. Recognize what is valuable to each one and what value they bring to the table. I think our society would benefit from this.
Musical interlude (you knew this would happen):
I never understand the words in most music. I have no idea what this song is about. Sigh. I need the lyrics!