Are the values of each generational cohort different?

Much has been written about the difference in values of each generation. In Retiring the Generation Gap, a research study from the Center for Creative Leadership, research data supports the idea that the values between generations aren’t that different rather it is the way in which each generation demonstrates their values in the workplace that varies.

Members of all generations were asked to rank their top ten values. The values that showed up in respondents’ top three most frequently were:

Family

Love

Integrity

The generation gap may not be as big as many people think. Perhaps it is just a matter of educating individuals that different behavior does not necessarily equate to different values. For instance, if a baby boomer values family above all else they may live that value by working long hours to do the best job that they can to provide for their family. A Gen X might show their love of family by wanting to work as few hours as possible in order to spend more time with their family. Same values but the generational perspective of how to live that value is very different.

The Center for Creative Leadership study revealed that the generations’ values do not differ significantly—individuals of all generations differ much more from each other than any generation does from the others. However, isn’t the prevailing belief in the workplace that generational conflict is in part fueled by the difference in values between generations?

Generation Jones

While doing research for my dissertation I became confused by the variety of opinions regarding the demographic makeup of the different generational cohorts. Lynne Lancaster and David Stillman, authors of When Generations Collide, define the generations as Traditionalists (1900-1945), Baby Boomers (1946-1964), Generation Xers (1965-1980), and Millennials (1981-1999). In Generations at Work, Zemke, Raines, and Filipczak define the generations as Veterans (1922-1943), Baby Boomers (1943-1960), Generation Xers (1960-1980), and Generation Nexters (1980-2000).

Population demographers define the Baby Boom generation as being born between 1946 and 1964. Because the time span for the Baby Boomer generation is so large some have further broken the cohort into early and late boomers. Jonathan Pontell coined the term Generation Jones to describe the group of 53 million Boomers born between 1954 and 1965. He describes this generation as being stuck “between Woodstock and Lollapalooza”.

The Generation Jones group does not identify itself with Boomers or Generation X. The Generation Jones identification received media attention during the 2008 presidential race and was considered a major factor in the differences between Hilary Clinton (Baby Boomer) and Barack Obama (Generation Jones).

The name "Generation Jones" has several connotations, including a keeping up with the Joneses competitiveness, as well as being a large anonymous generation. According to Pontell, the name “Generation Jones” was given to the group because the Jonesers were given huge expectations as children of the 1960’s but the reality they experienced in the 1970’s was quite different, giving then a certain unrequited, jonesing quality.

The generational cohort labeled the “Baby Boomers” are made up of 78 million individuals born across a time span of 18 years. Isn’t it possible that that many individuals could have as many differences as they have commonalities?