WHO WE ARE: Get together, one more time

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

To join the postmortem on Australia, go to The Tribal Mind.

A column about Australia by David Dale, published in The Sun-Herald, 15/2/2008
So the Gen Xers hate the Boomers because the Boomers won't hand over their jobs, and the Boomers hate Gen Y because they won't stick at anything for more than two years. The iGens hate Boomers, Xers and Ys because they ruined the planet, and the Xers hate the iGens because they want everything right away, without working for it, and don't even bother to use spellcheck.

It's amazing that civil war didn't break out long ago in this country, if we're to judge by the rage provoked by last week's column, which discussed how the Bureau of Statistics is using the term "iGeneration" for people born after 1986. Reading the responses, I was reminded of this song:

Five to one, baby, one in five.
No one here gets out alive.
The old get older and the young get stronger.
May take a week and it may take longer.
They got the guns but we got the numbers.
Gonna win, yeah, we're takin' over.
(Go here to hear it)

Five to One was the anthem of the Baby Boomers, written by The Doors in 1968 in response to statistics showing that people aged under 40 outnumbered the oldies five to one.

Now, of course, it's the boomers who are over 40, and who have the guns. But they are outnumbered by Generation X, Generation Y and the iGeneration -- not quite five to one, but easily two to one. Here's how the Bureau divides the nation:

Generation XY (born between 1966 and 1986): There are 5.5 million of them, of whom 49 per cent live with a romantic partner and 16 per cent live with their parents; 25 per cent have a university degree; 56 per cent describe themselves as Christians; and 5 per cent are unemployed (compared with 3 per cent of boomers). The bureau says they were "the first generation to experience increased rates of parental separation and divorce. They are also regarded as having fewer opportunities than their baby boomer predecessors, being the first to experience user-pays higher education and job insecurity. When Generation X and Y were entering the workforce, unemployment levels were high."

The iGen (born after 1986): There are 5.3 million of them. Go here to learn more.

The boomers (born between 1946 and 1966): There are 5.5 million of them, of whom 68 per cent are living with a romantic partner; and 67 per cent describe themselves as Christians. The bureau says: "As the first group to be raised with televisions in their homes, boomers were exposed to world events including the Cold War, the Viet Nam war, the sexual revolution, peace movements and the birth of rock and roll. They are considered more liberal minded than Australia's older generations." They were once called The Me Generation, because they were perceived to be self-indulgent, but apparently, the ballroom days are over.

The Lucky Generation (1926-1946): There are 2.9 million of them, of whom 61 per cent are living with a romantic partner; 36 per cent were born overseas and 69 per cent are "not in the labour force". The bureau calls them lucky because "as young adults they experienced full employment and prosperity during the post World War II economic boom."

The oldest (born before 1926): There are 727,000 of them, of whom 39 per cent left school at year 8 or below (compared with 2 per cent of Gen X); 33 per cent are living alone; 17 per cent are in nursing homes; and 80 per cent are Christian.

When the civil war comes, which group will emerge the winner? Tell us at Comments

David Dale is the author of Who We Are -- A snapshot of Australia today (Allen and Unwin). For daily updates on Australian attitudes, bookmark http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.

COMMENTS

Who will emerge the winner? Nobody will, as long as we allow ourselves to be grouped into these ridiculous demographics we all lose.
Reading the comments to your previous article and the intergenerational bickering made me sick.
Who benefits from these generalisations and this irrational anger towards entire generations?
The fact is EVERY generation has its fair share of tools and no-hopers. EVERY generation has hard workers, and geniuses and everything in between.
Every generation is a product of all that came before it. Before blaming these so called "demographics" for the ills of society perhaps we should take a long hard look at ourselves and what we have done to prevent these matters that are causing us such angst. Not only that but perhaps we should look at what we continue to do in order to change and to shape our society into one we can be proud of.
This is not some rant about how "we should all just get along". It is just logic. If you don't like something and you feel it needs to be better or different, don't just sit around whining and blaming everyone else. Get up off your backside and do something about it.
All any of this bickering does is distract us from the real problems that we are ALL facing, as a collective and not separately as demographics.

by Igor on February 14, 2009 at 10:45 PM

XY will win the civil war.
they run the net and the technology. and are the most educated and aware. igen only know how to update facebook and are raised by shit parents, are fat and like vampires.
baby boomers know their time is up, will try and sabotage and will keep their investment properties.

by davros on February 15, 2009 at 01:19 AM

As someone born in 1963 I'm certainly not a boomer. Most pundits consider the baby boom generation is those born between 1945 and the mid to late 50s. The generation between that and X starting in the mid-60s has long gone without a name until a few years ago when it became known as Generation Jones.

DD remarks: There was so much confusion about when the boomers stopped that the Bureau of Stats has simply imposed its own definition: 1946-1966.

by Ian on February 15, 2009 at 06:58 AM

The Boomers know their time is up so they will cash in all their properties. Then they will take nice extended Overseas trips and leave all the intergenerational fighting to the XY'ers, since they know everything. (the iGens wont fight because guns don't come with a remote)

by Greg on February 15, 2009 at 07:13 AM

What's the combined XY thing? I thought GenX & GenY were supposed to be at war with each other right now?

DD replies: Not according to the Bureau of Stats.

by Phil on February 15, 2009 at 08:05 AM

I despise boomers because they stole all the real estate and they're doing everything they can to keep the ponzi scheme going. I despise y's because they were seemingly brought up to have no respect for the system and I'm jealous that I wasn't smart enough to be like that when I was their age.

by Gen X'er on February 15, 2009 at 08:11 AM

I'm reading Malcom Gladwell's Outliers and it has a fascinating description of how the time (and place and class etc etc) you were born has a MASSIVE impact on the odds of you 'succeeding' in life (whatever that is defined as) or going ina certain direction. So generational factors are just one of a number of factors that affect how you are likely to be and he 'success' (however you measure that) you are likely to have.

by Dave Gravina on February 15, 2009 at 08:54 AM

I was born in 1921 and I have children, grandchildren and a beautiful great-grand daughter who collectively embrace all the so called generational tags. Who was responsible for this absurd segmentation of ages? Why must the bureaucrats always label people so spuriously? This does nothing except create new social divisions to add to the racial, religious and economic divisions we already enjoy. Surely it is more sensible to think of the generational process as a seamless natural progression. To attribute class characeristics to each so-called generation is absurd and dangerous.
Ian mac

by Ian Macdonald on February 15, 2009 at 09:05 AM

The civil war will have to wait until those mad religious nuts finish the jihad and religion is abolished and outlawed forever. Imagine!

by eric on February 15, 2009 at 09:11 AM

Firstly, there is no 'civil war'. Only media columns stirring up people, as usual.
Davros, XY won't "run" anything using the internet - not if they haven't got off their backsides and earned enough money to PAY for the electricity they use - er, and no, the batteries in your laptop/iPod/mobile/etc won't last forever!
Incorrect Gen X'er, the Baby Boomers did not 'steal' all the real estate - we bought it using the money we earned from WORKING. When you earn your own money from working (rather than inheriting it from your parents) - then you can buy the real estate from us. That's how real estate works. Like it or not.
Greg - the baby boomers time is up, huh? Best remember one small detail. The relative ratios of our generation numbers compared to the ones that follow us are now tipped against us, however, you will find that when it comes to wealth, the Baby Boomers and the Older Generation are still way ahead of every other generation combined. MONEY STILL TALKS and while we have it, we will continue to have the greatest say.
All this talk confirms in my mind one thing - the Older Generation and the Baby Boomers should go out and spend their kids' inheritance - we earned it, we should get the benefit from it. Only those of us who feel that their off-spring have contributed positively to society by working for themselves and others should give their children something-for-nothing.

by Snow White Boomer on February 15, 2009 at 09:41 AM

I was born in the 1978 and consider myself as a GEN X. I had no idea this kind of stuff existed until, i researched it thoroughly.
I guess my bosses who are alot older than me are quite scared or surprised of my qualifications, schooling and work experience that i have attained will put them in nerves edge possible for me taking their job away from them.
hmmmmm that explains why they have started to hand over all the work to me lately and my promotion is coming up.

by Rod on February 15, 2009 at 09:54 AM

Gee guys thanks for letting us know... here i thought i was part of the generation X now i find out that we are at the tail end of the baby boomers!!! When i tried to enter the work force along with the rest of the supposed XY generation i couldnt get a job either... what does that make us??? Some how we fell through the cracks, ME THINKS GENERATION LOST!!!!!

by michelle on February 15, 2009 at 10:02 AM

Rod - I don't think your bosses will be scared or surprised, more likely disappointed that they are handing over the reins to someone who constructed a sentence that ended...(quote) "...will put them in nerves edge possible for me taking their job away from them."
Yet more evidence why Baby Boomers should NOT be handing over the reins to people who are still wearing "L" plates.

by Snow White Boomer on February 15, 2009 at 10:15 AM

Well, Rod, all the education, work experience and qualifications in the world won't make you write a sentence properly.
Gosh, what a pleasure it must be to have you in the workplace. My guess is the bosses are trying to overwork you so that you'll leave, or trying to promote you so that you'll realise how great you are. This will, hopefully, one day, eventuate in you getting a really good job SOMEWHERE ELSE.

by CJ "XY" on February 15, 2009 at 10:22 AM

I'm GenX and I'm looking forward to the benefits of the GFC - falling house and share prices. That way my partner and I can start to build wealth of our own. On the flip side, it's looking pretty dismal for the late Boomers who thought they could ride into a carefree retirement on the back of their prized demographic. Guess they will have to work a few more years. But watch out for us pesky XY'ers. We actually HAVE the skills required in today's commercial reality.

by Jimmy on February 15, 2009 at 10:30 AM

I dont know what is worse about this subject,the fact the Bureau of Statistics started this,or its bloody incredible power to be unable to take into account none of its descriptions are quite real in any form what so ever.As someone born in 1954 and dependent by law on my parents to the school leaving age,which wasn't the voting age then,this is so much bunk I dont know why the Boomers in Parliament haven't sort blood at the end of a knife in a overbloated self important bureaucracy.As you know Dale they even use themselves to add to the employment figures when they employ Census scrutineers!I cannot hate a particular age group its impossible.Mostly lately I hate Boomers for letting this shit pass as some sort of intellectually driven generality that is worthwhile.My official work record isn't that good,and it certainly cannot be a Golden Era for me,if people look at what was happening to the unemployed,whilst the population from overseas continued in family reunion.I am not anti all those people I arrived how could I be.That has been a generality also forced on Australians,by those who wont think,and produce artificial antagonisms all the bloody time.I dislike some aspects of Pomdom for historical reasons,and New Zealanders for similar reasons.They ,in both sets, have had an artificial advantage over others arriving here until very recently. A dislike of Zionist Jews is one I have added lately,and maybe ,I am suspicious of any age group in that.

by Philip Travers on February 15, 2009 at 11:22 AM

Guys, sorry the boomers finished in 61 at the latest, and Gen X in 66. Forget about what the statisticians say, 61-66 is the "forgotten generation". No-one markets to us - they just want to lump us in with the rest. We don't share the same values as Boomers, nor Gen X. We're far more interested in hard work and achievement.

So stop grouping us with the others. We're proud to be forgotten, and we've forgotten that we're proud...

by Sandy on February 15, 2009 at 12:19 PM

Jimmy - glad to see you're copying the BB Generation by building your own wealth. Sadly, your knowledge of how the BB generation manages their money is generalised. Yes, Super funds have taken a tumble - for EVERYONE: you included. However, BBs were taught not to put all their eggs into one basket. My wife and I have reached retirement age but we are not looking to stop work. We enjoy the social aspects it brings. However, we are also no longer working full time. We work if and when we choose. Many of our BB friends are doing exactly the same as us.
My advice to you Jimmy, is to read Rod's poorly written comment (a fellow Gen X-er) and then you'll understand why the organ grinders are not prepared to give up their family businesses to the monkeys.

by Snow White Boomer on February 15, 2009 at 12:30 PM

You have all forgotten one thing. 65 is the cut off age to stop working. It will soon be 67. You can debate amongst yourselves on a topic that cause distress irrelevantly. As an XY, I am experiencing the good things that money and society can bring me. As an XY, I think we should somehow coexist and contribe a better society with our skills. Those with no skills but have potentials can go through an internship or traineeship. Those with no skills and do not want to progress to have potentials should not be earning a "bludge job", they can just work hard enough to survive. Peace everyone.

by Mr_Man on February 15, 2009 at 01:07 PM

Snow White Boomer- I'm glad you seem to judge people just by the way they spell or type!! I was taught that you don't judge someone till you know them (quote from my grandfather and father). I'm 30, have a great job, getting married in 6 weeks, building a house all from getting off my butt and doing it not from "money for nothing" from my folks. This Bulls#@t of labels causes the divisions not years of birth!!!

by Dion on February 15, 2009 at 01:08 PM

Fun reading but the media are making things up again -- they're run out of real stories -- ho hum -- back to the glum reality of Global Warming, Financial Doom, etc --- David Dale is both fascinating and fictional.

by Andy on February 15, 2009 at 02:40 PM

Those ungratefull xy's will inherit most of what baby boomers have today and guess what the newmils (those born post 2000) will inherit what the xy's will have. So you see we all pass the baton. But the xy's are so full of themselves they cant see it.

by james on February 15, 2009 at 02:55 PM

I agree grammar levels are quite low amongst many of the younger generation. Grammar is not my strong point either. This does not mean I am not capable of creative or innovative thought. This does not mean I am lazy. This does not mean I expect hand outs from my parents. I actually encourage my parents to spend all their money on themselves. I don�t want any inheritance. What I have done is remain employed since I was 16 (I am 31). I have completed university, procured gainful employment and am successful in my chosen profession. This is a common theme amongst many of the people I went to school with, and no I do come from the Eastern suburbs.
I find the loathing that is exhibited by many towards younger generations to be very disturbing. Especially since many people from older generations find comfort in the fact they are �supposedly� correct in their biases based on grammar mistakes and an assumption that all young people want is handouts. It seems they believe any generation after theirs is the first to have lazy people.
I would also like to reply to some comments in last weeks post about people who are not religious, not being as moral as those that are religious. What a ridiculous sentiment. I am not religious yet I give my time to community organisations, donate money to various charity groups (all non-religious), and am, I believe a good person (though I am aware I am a long way from perfect). I do all this without the fear that if I didn�t I would go to hell. Doesn�t this make me more moral than people that only do the right thing out of fear they won�t get into heaven? (Don�t worry this is a question for discussions sake. I would never make the assumption that I am morally superior to others because of my religion, or lack of.)

by Ads on February 15, 2009 at 03:37 PM

Snow White Boomer. You replied with hostility to the comment from Rod.
So what if he didn't string a sentence together perfectly? That's no reason to go on the attack! The generations that came after yours DO WORK and some do buy homes of their own.
Some baby boomers are fine upstanding and kind people who the rest of us can learn from, but other baby boomers are harder to admire or respect.
I often look the generations that came before the boomers, for guidance about behaviors & attitudes. Those grandparents & great grandparents of ours seemed like a more level headed and community minded lot. I suppose living through a world war does that. Whereas for some baby boomers there is only a focus on how much they can work and get ahead for themselves. A selfish attitude that I don't want to embrace.
Stringing sentences together well although desirable, is not essential for success and wealth in the world today. There are plenty of rich people who's diction isn't perfect.

by Another GenXr on February 15, 2009 at 03:39 PM

What a stupid column. (and some of the comments could fit that description too...)
I am a purported gen X.
I havent (and most likely will not) inherit a cent from my parents. Unlike most BB parents I did not recieve a 'helping hand' to buy my first home or otherwise.
Yet at 32 I have:
1. my own home.
2. my own business.
3. ability to choose my own hours. (i confess i am still a workaholic)
4. Am financially independant.
5. Have planned for the future.
All these stupid generalisations about any generation are just what they are - generalisations.
Its true, if you would like to make something of your life you will have to get up off your arse and do it yourself.
There are plenty of exceptional people in every generation.
Instead of resigning yourself to a stereotype; go out and prove yourself (and less importantly others) dead wrong!
Good luck to all!
PS> snow white : your a tosser!
take your pissant inheritance and shove it where the sun dont shine.
Your just unemployable and cant stand the shame yes? get over it!

by crazyX on February 15, 2009 at 05:49 PM

Born in 1965, I am not a boomer - for all you people who keep classifying people into boxes - *$%3 off

by Donk on February 15, 2009 at 06:24 PM

BB had it easy but made life hard for everyone else. If BB's are so proudly in control, I know exactly who to blame for our polluting industries.
I put a lot of work into making my igen son an individual so outstanding that he will always be above lowest common denominator generalisations.

by xmum on February 15, 2009 at 09:37 PM

They say ignorance is bliss, meaning we have a whole webpage of posts from so many blissful people ...
Boomers, XY, IGen all have assumptions on each other, and if there were ever to be a war, the winner would be whichever group sits back and watches the whole mess unfold .... as with any civil war, nobody wins.

by Scott on February 17, 2009 at 03:31 PM

The Sun-Herald

Who We Are

WHO WE ARE: Get together, one more time

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