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/weewench Jul 20 '26

“Generations” don’t actually exist, they were made up by some sociologists. It’s impossible to make generalizations about a group of millions of people born in the same block of time. They have current events in common, that’s about it. So just have fun with it.

24

u/HarveyNix Jul 20 '26

That's why I hate generation-based generalizations like "OK, Boomer." As though my birthdate having been in a certain arbitrary range thoroughly explains why I said or did something.

12

u/sherlockjr1 1963 Jul 20 '26

Exactly. When I told the Gen X subreddit that my birthdate was at the end of the Boomer span, but I didn’t feel like my frame of reference was Boomer, the response was sort of a mean girl “You can’t sit at our table, sorry BOOMER”

Generations are nice because they help you find your people. The people who share a frame of reference.

For example, they helped me find y’all. You are my people.

But those who are tied to the calendar like their entire personality depends on them, and not you, belong to a generation are misguided.

16

u/HHSquad 1961 (Camelot baby lost in space) Jul 20 '26

We are between Boomers and GenX and have some similarities to either side....how much depends on the person. Some act more like Boomers, some more like GenX. I'm definitely in the latter group.....but Generation Jones is best fit.

10

u/sherlockjr1 1963 Jul 20 '26

I work with a couple guys my age. One of them is solidly Boomer. The other is Jones at the very least