Talking Bout My Generation

Zebra gum. Skip-bo. Tamagotchi. Backstreet Boys. Slap bracelets. Tattoo choker necklaces. Dunkaroos. Furby. Pogs.

If you recognize these things from your childhood, then you’re probably from my generation. I grew up in the 90s and 2000s.  I was what is referred to as a “digital immigrant.” Growing up, our generation wasn’t glued to technology. But it came, and when it came, it came fast.  We were the generation that “shifted over.” We weren’t born with cell phones in our hands and tablets at our fingertips, but we quickly latched onto the trend.

I think because of this fact, our generation sometimes gets a bad wrap. Older generations were wary of us (as most generations are of younger generations). They worried that our newfound obsession with technology would rot our brain, our social skills, and our work ethic. In some respects, I wonder if they are right.

The younger generations feel like we’re as out of touch as we thought the older generations were. They grew up with smartphones in their hands, with Twitter at their fingertips. My students are much more efficient with technology than I could ever learn to be.

So here we are, children of the 90s and 2000s, somewhere in between. What does that mean for us? Is it good or bad?

I think that making generalizations is a bad thing to do. There are always exceptions to the rule (just like in English grammar). Nonetheless, I think that there is something to be said for our generation’s unique circumstances. I think that we got the best of both worlds. Growing up without a sole reliance on technology, we were able to see how the world worked before computers became big. We got experience with these crazy things called books and libraries. We didn’t have the answer at our fingertips all of the time; sometimes, we just had to wonder about things.

Later, though, we were able to jump onto the technology train and see the benefits of things like Google and Facebook. We paved the way for future generations to use these tools, to integrate them into their daily lives. We sorted out complications like how to balance technology and work and when it was best to put the technology away.

I hear a lot of speculation about how the new generation is going to lack communication skills because of their reliance on technology. It is frightening to go into a restaurant and see that everyone is now glued to a phone or ipad instead of conversing. I worry, too, that this trend will reap terrible consequences for years to come.

Nonetheless, I think that what I have learned from my years is that every generation has its positives and negatives. No two generations are the same, and that’s what makes our society work. This constant changing keeps us moving, keeps us from being static. We might be changing for better or worse (who is really in the position to say?), but, nonetheless, we are changing. Our generation will leave a mark on the world that the previous generation didn’t and that future generations can’t.  The cycle will continue.

So children of the 90s and 2000s, digital immigrants, be proud. Do your best. And never apologize for being who you are.