Generation X vs. Baby Boomers
Generation X vs. Baby Boomers
Baby Boomer is a concept used to describe older adults, probably in their final stages of life, while generation X is the contemporary generation that has been raised within the technological advancement era. Baby boomers describe people who have embraced a traditional way of life, while generation X can be regarded as the digital generation. The main distinction between baby boomers and generation x is their mentality as a luxurious and rewarding life drives the latter while the former is driven by the need to cater for families and, thus a fulfilling life.
Generation X and the baby boomers describe two distinct groups used in market segmentation. Generation X and generation Y closely relate in term of mentality as they outline people born in the late 20th century. The baby boomers had upgraded desires in comparison with their parents as they possessed affluent and nurtured lifestyles (Sandeen, 2008). The central focus on family stimulated the mentality of the baby boomers as the advancements entailed developing technological initiatives that improved the quality of life and nurtured a family. The baby boomers were beneficial for the development of the polio vaccine and the creation of oral contraceptives, and thus their primary drive being the quality of life. However, the generation X is primarily driven to improve the living standards and thus incorporate additions that make life more interesting such as coming up with technological developments in cars, computers, phones, and other things.
The baby boomers are highly optimistic due to their challenging upraising. They are individualistic, value drastic personal gratification, and often reject authority (Sandeen, 2008). The baby boomers were primarily driven to work to support their families while Generation X intends to improve the quality of life. In contrast, generation X was brought up during an era of constant revolution which entailed family, financial, and social insecurity (Kraus, 2017). About the baby boomers, the rapid changes and profound diversities led to the development of the context of individualism over collectivism. Generation X describes individuals who are independent, more skeptical, and limitedly loyal (Sandeen, 2008). Unlike the baby boomers, Generation X aim to attain their career goals and balance their social life while the baby boomers prioritized their works and thus can spend much time in their work. Generation X intends to balance their professional and personal lives and thus avoid spending all their time in their works. Therefore, the latter can change their jobs if they find new opportunities with flexible and appropriate working hours while baby boomers would settle in their jobs irrespective of the working hours.
Moreover, generation X entails the era of industrialization and profound changes in the market, and thus the people within this era are aware of the unpredictability of the world. This generation is continually looking for a better job, a new opportunity, and a new opportunity to succeed. Their attitudes are driven by their aims to be happy and yet attain their career objectives. The baby boomers were raised in an era of high unemployment rates and thus understood the essence of loyalty and holding on to their jobs (Kraus, 2017). Therefore, the two generations have distinct attitudes or mentalities. My grandparents still believe that it is imperative to go to the same barbershop or purchase the same brand of detergent while I can change my preferences depending on the quality and price of the commodity.
The distinctions between the baby boomers and generation X are primarily outlined in their attitudes. Generation X has led to the development of numerous technological incentives that have improved the working standards, and thus people can look forward to social life. However, the baby boomers struggled and dedicated their time in their works thereby blocking off the social world. The two groups act differently and have diverse values which define their acquired market segmentation.
References
Kraus, M. (2017). Comparing Generation X and Generation Y on their preferred emotional leadership style. Journal of Applied Leadership and Management, 5, 62-75.
Sandeen, C. (2008). Boomers, Xers, and Millennials: Who are they and what do they really want from continuing higher education? Continuing Higher Education Review, 72, 11-31. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ903434.pdf.
