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Gen Z Isn’t Real
The Younger Tail of Millennials Has Embraced a Fiat Generational Identity
Does the collective belief in a concept lend it legitimacy? Consider the definition of a generation: traditionally understood as a cohort born and coming of age within a span of approximately 20–30 years, during which time individuals are born, grow up, become adults, and start families of their own. This concept of generational duration, as outlined by the American Marketing Association, invites us to explore the elasticity of generational boundaries and question whether societal consensus can redefine these timeframes.
The span of generational birth years has historically ranged from 18 to 30 years, with the GI Generation starting in 1901 and ending in 1924, followed by the Silent Generation (1925–1942), Baby Boomers (1943–1960), and Generation X (1961–1981). Notably, the Silent Generation, at 18 years, represents the shortest duration demographers Strauss and Howe consider viable for defining a generation. However, the commonly accepted span for Millennials — 1981 to 1996 — breaks this pattern by covering only 15 years, falling short of the previously established minimum. This deviation raises questions about the criteria used to delineate generations, as historical precedents suggest a generation encompasses a broader range of years.
