Pros and Cons of Being Stuck In Between Generations
As someone who was born during the early years of a new generation, I certainly did experience the new perks of being labeled as Gen Z, but also growing up with the things that Millennials had as well. However, people have mistaken me for a Millennial several times due to some of my fashion choices or being mistaken as a Gen Z kid because of how young I am.
Back in my day it was common for everyone to have had chalkboards in the older classrooms and trying out that new Smart Board that teachers had a hard time trying to figure out what they were doing. You would see each person trying to fit into whatever they wanted to categorize themselves as but my junior high years were the prime time for your strong core Millennials as they were finishing up their high school years.
The thing is, I believe that within the 15 or 20 year generation, it is always those middle years that make up the main characteristics of that generation. Those born on the edge of a generation will certainly be able to relate to the generation above or below them. In my case of being born in 2001, I can relate to Millennials because I was only born 5 years into being Gen Z. I am too young to have lived through the edgy emo phases that many Millennials went through but also too old to associate myself with all the Eboys and Egirls of Gen Z.
Of course not everyone fits within their generation and each and every person is different. That is a major con for anyone trying to fit in within their own generation but being born on the outskirts. I think that being associated with whatever generation you are born in can also be a little bit toxic and a bit of a con because lots of people would automatically start making certain assumptions based on what other people of your generation have done. Much like being middle aged and called a “Karen” even though there are plenty of amazing Generation X people out there.
I also believe that being stuck in between generations also has its pros. Like being able to say hey I grew up with both things from either generation. It also personally has given me more perspective on how to interact with either generation. So yes, it absolutely has its perks.
I think that also with the generation labeling is also very much a cultural thing as well. Here in America it is more defined versus in other countries to what I’ve seen but I could easily be wrong.
My biggest issue is that sometimes yes your personality is defined as how you grow up but each individual makes choices as they grow older and in the end, what year you were born in clearly does not matter but your actions do. A person should not make assumptions on another person based on knowing that persons’ age. That is not how society should work and sadly it has been like that. It is not about how sensitive one is or being soft, but understanding that it is rude to make assumptions regardless and it is easier to dismiss a person based on their age.
I am proud on how hard each generation works even if others don’t think that one does. We should be living in a world that is more accepting and if that is the Gen Z kid in me then so be it but I know that every year, people have been struggling for acceptance and as we grow so do our values. So who knows, maybe we could avoid so many issues without the assumptions that come along with them.
