Jean Twenge’s ‘iGen’ Reeks as an Ageist Relic of Simple-Minded Excess

My expanded review of a low-key dangerous book that only serves to further “dumb down” the endless generational wars

Photo by Katherine Hanlon on Unsplash

Many authors and researchers have cited Jean Twenge as an authoritative source when studying the differences between American generations. So, as I embarked upon my “Jigsaw Gens” series on intergenerational literacy, I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to read her work.

A psychologist and university professor at San Diego State Univeristy (SDSU), Twenge previously made waves with her 2006 book Generation Me, in which she reportedly dissects and psychoanalyzes Generation Y (“Millennials”). I admittedly haven’t read Generation Me, yet; and, based on Twenge’s commentary in her follow-up, I’m actually dreading the prospect.

Contemporarily, with Generation Z (“Zoomers”) rising in prominence, I decided to check out Twenge’s first crack at evaluating this younger cohort. Published in 2017, iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy — and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood gives us a glimpse into the oldest cluster of kids from Gen Z. Building on her previous research, Twenge crafts her arguments based on vibes from interviews she…