Fuzzy but useful constructs: Making sense of the differences between generations

Abstract

While the research on generational differences has continued to grow, there are still questions about whether "generation" is a useful construct. In this study, generational boundaries or cut-offs are examined using a large, nationally representative sample of high school seniors whose attitudes and work values were assessed over time. Compared to Boomers and GenX'ers at the same age, Millennials were less likely to endorse social values (such as making friends at work) and more likely to endorse leisure values (such as vacation time). For workplace settings, Millennials were less likely than GenX'ers to favor owning their own business or working for a large corporation and were less likely than Boomers to favor working at a social service organization. However, while mean-level generational differences were apparent, there were no clear cut-offs between generations. Instead, the trends were more gradual and linear, suggesting that generations might be best conceptualized as fuzzy social constructs. Considerations for the use of generations as a meaningful construct are discussed.