Looking at the Generations

The information in these tables is adapted from The Fourth Turning, by William Strauss and Neil Howe. The tables were originally posted on my old generations site in the mid-2000s, when it was uncertain whether the Fourth Turning (Crisis) had begun. Listed are expected patterns to be observed for each of the living generations in both the Unraveling and Crisis turnings. At the time of this writing (2018) we are certainly in the Fourth Turning, and it is interesting to consider which expectations have come to pass for each generation.

G.I.
In the Unraveling, look for the G.I. Generation to...
...retain prestige and privilege.
...be lamented in passing.

SILENT
In the Unraveling, look for the Silent Generation to... In the Crisis, look for the Silent Generation to...
...encourage communication, openness, and compromise.
...tolerate diversity and discord.
...be hesitant to judge or impose restraint.
...try to improve, but not replace, institutions.
...try to seem or act young.
...feel a sense of despair.
...confess guilt over mistakes made in life.

BOOMER
In the Unraveling, look for the Boomer Generation to... In the Crisis, look for the Boomer Generation to...
...be judgemental, critical, and incapable of compromise.
...be values fixated and preachy.
...be self-secure, and impervious to the opinions or edicts of others.
...be seen by other generations as hypocrites.
...show wisdom and vision.
...trade material security for moral authority.
...show urgency and demand sacrifice from others.

GEN-X
In the Unraveling, look for Generation X to... In the Crisis, look for Generation X to...
...be alienated, independent, and risk-taking.
...sort into winners and losers.
...be stigmatized and criticized.
...be cautious and pragmatic.
...show little or no concern for issues of equality.
...be ambivalent about the emerging new order.
...continue to be stigmatized and criticized.
...be materially ruined.

MILLENNIAL
In the Unraveling, look for the Millennial Generation to... In the Crisis, look for the Millennial Generation to...
...be nurtured with increasing protection.
...be encouraged to be obedient achievers.
...be group-oriented and team-players.
...benefit from safety laws and moral concern.
...heroically rise to political challenge.
...enforce, among peers, a code of good conduct.
...develop a sense of generational community.
...benefit from a new focus on the young-adult world.

HOMELAND
In the Crisis, look for the Homeland Generation to...
...be cordoned off from the adult world.
...be ignored.


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