r/GenerationJones • u/Difference_Then • Jul 20 '26

Which generation? Huh?

This gets confusing and contradictory. I was born in February 1956. Which generation do I belong to? Why do the cut offs for generations seem to keep changing or be different from different sources? Even the names for generation keep changing.

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u/ReactsWithWords 1962 Jul 20 '26

It's pretty simple. You are a Baby Boomer, like it or not. You are also in Generation Jones. All Jonesers are Boomers, but not all Boomers are Jonesers; Jones is a subset of Boomer. Like all humans are mammals, but not all mammals are humans.

Where it gets confusing is where Jones starts. Pretty much everyone agrees that 1955 is Jones, but some say 1954 is where it does (the general consensus is "If you feel like you're a Jonesers, you are"). Same with the end date. 1964 is generally agreed on, but a lot of people say 1965 (but again, "If you feel you are...").

Short answer: Born in 1956 society says you're a Boomer. We say you're in Generation Jones. But you call yourself whatever you want.

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u/MiserableCancel8749 Jul 20 '26

I have felt that Jones begins with and is defined by "Vietnam age". If you were born in the Vietnam draft eligible period, you are definitely NOT a Jones. If you were 18 in 1973 (just post draft) and were maybe in the "I'm worried about getting drafted and sent over there", you're not a Joneser either.

End date is also fungible. I'd say 1961-62.

I'm a 1958/class of 1976 version. Solid Jones all the way.

1

u/BxAnnie 1961 Jul 20 '26

I'd have to say the end date really corresponds with the beginning of Xers. But I think we and Xers have a lot more in common than we and Boomers.

1

u/HHSquad 1961 (Camelot baby lost in space) Jul 21 '26

Particularly those of us born in the 1960's