I too, teach at a school with a lot of gen Y students. I too, have noticed that respect, for many, has gone out the window. I want to add that the gen y students that have been in the military understand respect. I don't think it is the technology. I think it is the parenting, or lack there of.
I was born in October of 1980 and like your don, I too straddle the line. For the most part I am keeping up with the latest technology, but there are still a few pieces of technology that I just don't care for or have the need of.
I'm in a similar situation to you Stephen. I was born in 76 and identify with both X'ers and Y'ers. This is helpful in the classroom as all of my students are in these generations as well. At first I thought it would be weird teaching students older than me but found that they still respect my years of experience in the profession and also identify with me because we share similar life experiences and interests. I never realized that X'ers were considered the lost generation and sadly realized that a lot of the people I know in my age range did somewhat raise ourselves due to our parents working all the time.
I was born in 1963 and i have always had a desire for technology and find it hard to live without it.I also want to know if there is a crossover group that i fit in lol........
I have two daughters 11 and 15, I am amazed at thier level of knowledge about technology and how to use it. But with the bringing of technology does it mean that respect must go out the window? Along with my two daughters I teach in a school full of gen y students and I have noticed the same trend in class, respect is out the window.
Mike,
it could be. I also think it can have something to do with our parents. My boomer parents were more like their parents' generation (didn't do the whole '60's thing) & I've noticed I have quite a few boomer characteristics. Don't know for sure but makes me wonder.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Being labeled as a GenXer seemed appropriate to me until reading some of the characteristics. Alot of them applied, however some from the Boomers also applied. I wonder if this has anything to do with being geographical?
I too was born during a transitional time frame. I was born in 1962 and was brought up believing that I was the last of the baby boomers and I always felt part of that generation. It was not until reading this course that I found out that I belong with the Y generation, but reading though the course I did notice that I seem to fit both styles learners pretty well.
Summer,
yes that was the point that we tried to bring out in the course content; don't stereotype just because of birth years. While the characteristics given are generalizations, we must know people as individuals.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Individual personality certainly changes how we interact with our environment and therefore our generation. Thus, it is important to not automatically piegonhole a student into having the traits of their generation. Any of us that have been in classroom know we are continually surprised by our students.
However, I'm a member of Gen X and certainly fit the Gen X descriptions.
Born in 1969, I cross the lines and I like it. I can still stay cool with my old crowd and geeky with my younger friends.
I understand where gen-y's are coming from, but to survive and make America return to any level of greatness, we all need to realize we need to cooperate and get things done. It seems gen -y wants to lay blame somewhere rather than dealing with issues.
Roger,
yes the generational "lines" are especially blurry for those born on the borders.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I was born in 1980 also. I find I have more in common with x than y. But am a little of both.
I believe it is in how your structure in education was based. Also if your peers were older or younger.
Craig,
I can relate to this as well. Sometimes I think I was born 100 years too late!
Dr. Ryan Meers
I'm with you. Being born in '65, I'm a gen Xer. I feel that I am more like a Veteran or maybe a early Boomer. My mother told me once that I was born 40 years too late. I understand the gererational differences, I can see them, and use the differences to my teaching advantage. I found the topic amusing to myself because I feel that I don't fit into "my generation".
Jessie,
I too have observed this, with older generations wanting to be "cool?" Not sure, but you're right.
Dr. Ryan Meers
We have a wide varity of ages here. One thing that puzzules me is that most of the older students try to conform more to the gen Y students than the gen Y students to be more like thier elders!
Donna,
great observation. I will say this, depending upon which book/article/website you visit you will find variance in the dates for when the various generations end & when they begin. Especially those individuals who are on the "border" can often be more connected to the previous or next generation. And I agree with you that the generational lines seem to be blurring more & more.
Dr. Ryan Meers
