During the holidays, you are so excited to come home. The smell of homemade cookies, the warm feeling of the fireplace and a house full of people... of all ages.
Recently I had a healthy debate with my mother, who is a well-educated, middle school teacher. We argued over silly feminist ideals and what we view and how we view them differently.
I'm at a point in my life where I can argue with someone and have it not end in utter disaster. We can come to a conclusion, even if it's to agree to disagree. Being 21 years old means I'm young, but I have enough knowledge in my noggin' to know that I'm defending my views.
I was shocked to feel, though, that my mother wasn't as open-minded as I thought. Then, stopping myself, I remembered I am open-minded because of my mother. She has raised me to be who I want to be and be happy in what I'm doing, though we may not be happy doing the same things. It isn't that she is not open-minded, it is just that we have conflicting ideals.
We come from different generations.
WMFC.org created a generational chart to describe the influences and better explain these different generations.
Traditionalists were born between 1900-1945, they are also called "Veterans," "radio babies," and "the forgotten generation." They were heavily influenced by WWII, the Korean War, the Great Depression, the discovery of space and often based their morals off of the hard times they experienced.
My great-grandmother is 101-years-old and can't remember my name, let alone her daughter's names, but before her current condition, she'd sit at the kitchen table and tell me not to jump to conclusions or rush into life – to appreciate the things I have.
Baby Boomers were both between 1946-1964, also called the "me" generation were influenced by post-war, high divorce rates, Civil Rights, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution and continued space travel.
My grandmother and grandfather talk about the great times they had as teenagers. The times weren't easy, but they were memorable. Every year at Christmas I get cheek-kisses and embarrassing questions about my love life, my health and my grandmother has to examine my nails to see how they look.
The next generation is Generation X who were born between 1965-1980, or the "Xers," the "Doer's" and the "13th Generation." They are greatly influenced by Watergate, energy crisis and increased divorce rates. WMFC says a lot of this generation grew up taking care of themselves while mom and dad worked.
My mom and my dad fall directly into that category. My dad has told stories of his dad and mom and discussed how they were hard workers and that sometimes he'd be mad, but after growing up, he realized the means they had to meet. My mom, on the other hand, did not have to take care of herself, but she did work hard. She had to figure a lot of things out on her own and has wise tales to tell from them. Every Christmas my mom pretends I'm still a young girl, and my dad tries to help me plan life 40 years ahead.
Finally, we reach the Millennial generation who were born between 1981-2000. We are the "Gen Y," "echo boomers," or the "24/7's" of the generations. We are extremely influenced by digital media, 9/11, we're born to be busy and are the first generation to experience such an incredible number of shootings, terrorist attacks and a high rate of homelessness. We've grown up with this so much we don't know what it's like without it.
At Christmas, I just want to sit, relax, watch a movie and check my Facebook because normally I'm eyeballs deep in course work, newspaper articles or drama. I argue with my family about my phone, computer and how much time I put into work. The reality of it is that we're all from different generations. Nobody is wrong; nobody is going to change my family, and nobody is going to change me. We are the way we are because of the influences we have and things we grow up around.
We can't keep blaming our grandparents for being "technology illiterate" because it didn't even become a thing until they were grandparents! Our parents can't blame us for playing "violent" video games because we have grown up in violence, we live in a world where we are desensitized to such things.
I put my phone down when I need to, I know when it is family time, but sometimes the best memories I have are shared on Facebook, and I'm able to pull up photos from the ice skating rink, the study abroad trip and even things that happened six years ago. I believe the things I do because of my influences. As a generation, we need to put in perspective that we cannot change our parents, grandparents or great-grandparents. We need to stop making excuses and just enjoy the holiday season.
If arguing with my mom means I'm home, in a warm house with a good-cooked meal, then I'll take it.
