The research for this series has taken my learning and discovery in a different direction than the socio-political themes of past series. “The Study of American Generations” is predominantly a study of history, but I found it to be very different than most historical studies. Such studies typically and predominantly focus on events and static stated facts. This study has a much greater ebb and flow to it as it incorporates attitudes, beliefs, prejudices, norms and values, and a perspective of why they changed. So, my first discovery from the research is that a different way exists to learn and analyze history via that of generational analysis.
My second discovery is the significant differences between generations and how that affects our culture. The fundamental reason is because each of us is impacted differently by technological change, crises, and social awakenings dependent on our age at the time. The differences can be substantial over four generations. Likewise, our ability to influence change is also impacted by age. The interplay, meshing, or challenging of all those factors plays out in how our culture changes. Generational analyses assist in understanding what happened or what is happening.
My third discovery astounds me, and I am not yet convinced of its validity although the evidence is rather compelling. The original gurus of generational analysis, William Strauss and Neil Howe theorized and proved that for the first fifteen generations, they cycled every four generations in character except for one (the Civil War cycle) but it too cycled if you analyze just three generations. You will have the opportunity to assess the validity of their theory in segment five and then again to see whether it is playing out in the current predominant generations, in segments 6, 7, 8 and 10.
My fourth discovery was how little I know about our two youngest generations – Millennials and Generation Z. Particularly the impact of technology and social media on their lives and how the combination of the two influences almost everything they do or think. Further, I have come to recognize, in part, how both generations have influenced our culture in profound ways. As the above points indicate, the research has been a unique discovery of learning which has led me to increased understanding of what is happening in our country and to a degree, why. I hope you find it equally as beneficial.