Generation Gaps

Generation differences have existed since the first parents had their first children -- but what sets modern generations apart from each other? Are we really that different?

More Culture Topics to Explore

How Obituaries Went from Dry Death Notices to Tributes to Truth

Military Funerals Give Service Members and Families One Final Salute

Ghana's Fantasy Coffins Are to Die For

DNA Tattoos: I’ve Got You Into My Skin

The History of Makeup Is Surprisingly Elitist

Could Your Tattoos Camouflage Skin Cancer?

Hygge: The Danish Art of Living Cozily

How Fish and Chips Became England's National Dish

Zozobra: Santa Fe's Yearly Incineration of Sorrows

'Franglais' on the Rise, Say French Language Watchdogs

Use of the Exclamation Point Has Exploded!

The Stories Behind the Electric Slide, the Moonwalk and Other Epic Dance Moves

The Movement That Has Men Dropping Out of Society in a 'Sexodus'

Why Do We Love Guinness World Records So Much?

5 Summertime Family Traditions

5 Family Traditions for New Babies

5 Family Anniversary Traditions

The Legend of the Mysterious Night Marchers of Hawaii

10 People With Incredibly Bad Luck

Conspiracy Theories and Creationism Depend on the Same Backward Logic

Having a Cherokee Ancestor Doesn’t Necessarily Make You Cherokee Too

For White Nationalists, Genetic Ancestry Tests Challenge Concepts of Identity and Purity

Ancient Mummy DNA Reveals Surprises About Egyptian Ancestry

10 Ways to Liven Up Your White Elephant Gift Exchange

6 Wild and Wacky Takes on the Advent Calendar

Ultimate Guide to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The History and Symbolism of the U.S. Presidential Seal

Nameless But Never Forgotten: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Weiberfastnacht: The Day German Women Stormed the Ramparts

There's More Than One Way to Be Monogamous

Hey Dad! The Famous Fathers Quiz

Pope to List Nuclear Weapons as Immoral After Visiting Japan

What Is a Mandala? (No, Not Nelson. That's Mandela)

The Law of Attraction: Will the Universe Give You What You Want?

The Bizarre, Brazen Life of Cultist Aleister Crowley

A Pirate Quiz for Ye Trivia-Lubbers!

How One Woman Unexpectedly Became the Voice of Siri

There's a Healthier Way to Consume Your Media

We Love What John Oliver Just Said About Science

Learn More

How the Millennial Generation Works

The millennial generation is steadily increasing in numbers. This group often gets a bad rap from older people, but what's the truth about millennials?

By Alia Hoyt & Jane McGrath Culture & Traditions / Generation Gaps

Millennials Are Making Birthday Cards a Thing Again

Despite the overall slump in greeting card sales, millennials are surprisingly drawn to cards and their low-tech charms.

By Alia Hoyt May 9, 2018 Culture & Traditions / Generation Gaps

Nope, Boomers and Xers Don’t Work Harder Than Millennials

Never mind the generation gap: Here is what’s really going on in the workplace.

By Dave Roos Oct 20, 2016 Culture & Traditions / Generation Gaps

10 Misconceptions About Millennials

Not all millennials see themselves as special snowflakes. In fact, many of the qualities people think are inherent in Generation Y actually aren't. Which misconceptions about millennials are really just slights against youth?

By Melanie Radzicki McManus Culture & Traditions / Generation Gaps

How Generation X Works

If you were born sometime between the mid-60s and the beginning of the 80s, you're considered part of Generation X, a loose demographic that came after the postwar Baby Boomers and before the so-called Millennials. What makes Gen-Xers tick?

By Gerlinda Grimes Culture & Traditions / Generation Gaps

How Generation Y Works

Members of Generation Y are a mosaic of traits that often seem incompatible: They're egotistical and brash, yet eager to learn and contribute; they want to make lots of money, and they support nonprofit causes. Here, learn how Generation Y works.

By Michael Franco Culture & Traditions / Generation Gaps

How the Lost Generation Works

After World War I, an entire youthful generation became disillusioned with humanity's prospects and rebelled against their elders' values. During Prohibition, they became independent and self-sufficient. Here, learn how the Lost Generation works.

By Jill Jaracz Culture & Traditions / Generation Gaps

How the Greatest Generation Works

Tom Brokaw dubbed this generation "the greatest generation any society has produced," marked by values like "personal responsibility, duty, honor and faith." What else makes this group of Americans so remarkable?

By Clint Pumphrey Culture & Traditions / Generation Gaps

How Generation Me Works

We have a tendency to group generations into tidy little groups based on age and shared cultural traits, but Generation Me is harder to define than most -- perhaps because it's hard to put people so determined to be individuals in boxes.

By Ed Grabianowski Culture & Traditions / Generation Gaps

How Generation Z Works

They're Generation Z, the newest kids on the demographic block. Technological wizards who have never known life without Internet access, they're the future leaders of our world. What else sets them apart from previous generations, and what challenges do they face?

By Lance Looper Culture & Traditions / Generation Gaps

How the Baby Boom Generation Works

Baby boomers, boomers, Generation "Me" -- whatever you call them, they're members of the most famous and talked-about generation in history. What are the defining characteristics of this aging generation, and how will their retirement impact the rest of us? Find out in How the Baby Boom Generation Works.

By Gerlinda Grimes Culture & Traditions / Generation Gaps

How Generation Gaps Work

Generation gaps are usually harmless; it's fine if you don't really understand the perspective of someone significantly younger or older than you. However, it can really do some damage in the workplace.

By Dave Roos Culture & Traditions / Generation Gaps