Generations OPRS #1

Generations OPRS #2 Background Information on Four Generations Veterans – also referred to as the G.I. Generation (the Hero) Born prior to 1945, youngest of this group will retire by These workers make great mentors for the other three generations. This generation developed a special and “good kid” reputation as the beneficiaries of new playgrounds, scouting clubs, vitamins, and child-labor restrictions. They came of age with the sharpest rise in schooling ever recorded. As young adults, their uniformed corps patiently endured Depression and heroically conquered foreign enemies. In a midlife subsidized by the G.I. bill, they build gleaming suburbs, invented miracle vaccines, plugged missile gaps, and launched moon rockets. Their unprecedented grip on the Presidency (1961 – 1992) began with a New Frontier, a Great Society and Model Cities, but wore down thru Vietnam, Watergate, deficits, and problems with “the vision thing”. As senior citizens, they safeguard their own “entitlement” but with little influence over culture and values. Baby Boomers (the Prophet) Born between The post war economy made getting jobs easier for this generation than for those that followed. This generation grew up as indulged youth during an era of community-spirited progress. These kids were the proud creation of postwar optimism, Dr. Spock rationalism and Father Knows Best family order. Coming of age, however, Boomers loudly proclaimed their antipathy to the secular blueprints of their parents; they demanded inner visions over outer, self-perfection over thing making or team-playing. The Boom “awakening” climaxed with Vietnam War protest, the 1967 “Summer of Love”, inner-city riots, the first Earth Day, and the altercation at Kent State University. In the aftermath, Boomers appointed themselves arbiter of the nation’s values and crowded conspicuously into such “culture careers” as teaching, religion, journalism, marketing and the arts. During the 90’s, they have trumpeted values, touted a “politics of meaning”, and waged scorched-earth culture wars. Generation X (the Nomad) Born between 1966 – 1980, this generation was thought to be destined to a life of bad jobs and financial struggle, but their technology provides them with higher paying jobs and probably more security than their older co-workers. This generation survived a hurried childhood of divorce, latchkeys, open classrooms, devil- child movies and a shift from G to R ratings. They came of age curtailing the earlier young adults, maneuvering thru a sexual battlescape of AIDS. Involved in blighted courtship rituals, they date and marry cautiously. In jobs, they embrace risk and prefer free agency to loyal corporatism. From grunge to hip-hop, their splintery culture reveals a hardened edge. Politically, they lean toward pragmatism and nonaffiliation and would rather volunteer than vote. Widely criticized as Xers or slackers, they inhabit a Reality Bites economy of declining young-adult living standards. Nexters-also known as the Millennial Generation (Hero?) Born since 1980 has the opportunity to learn skills from their older co-workers that will provide economic security for themselves, their children, and their aging parents. This generation first arrived when “Baby on Board” signs appeared. As abortion and divorce rates ebbed, the popular culture began stigmatizing hands-off parental styles and recasting babies as special. Child abuse and child safety became hot topics, while books teaching virtues and values became best sellers. Today, politicians define adult issues (from tax cuts to deficits) in terms of their effects on children. Hollywood is replacing cinematic child devils with child angels; cable TV and the Internet are cordoning off child-friendly havens. While educators speak of standards and cooperative learning, school uniforms are surging in popularity. With adults viewing children more positively, US test scores are faring better in international comparisons.

Generations OPRS #3

Generations OPRS #4

Generations OPRS #5

Generations OPRS #6

Generations OPRS #7 Optional Activity – 45 minutes In their same groups (by generation), distribute flip chart and easel and markers to each group. Their assignment to complete in 25 minutes is: –draw a large picture depicting their generation – be creative and fun –answer the following 3 questions on the flip chart: 1.what makes my generation tick? provide 2-4 examples 2.what ticks off my generation? provide 2-4 examples 3.how do we communicate with the other three generations? Be specific for each group. Circulate among the groups to make sure the groups are following instructions – give them suggestions if they seem to be struggling. Each group will present their findings to the entire audience – 5 minutes each. Ask the other generations if they got it right.