Chapter 8: Considerations And Importance Of Generational Changes For Teaching

Most, if not all of us, are familiar with the generation we belong to and the inevitable stereotypes that are associated with being a member of one generation (the “greatest generation”) or another (millennials). Social scientists tend to group people into generations based on their cohort or birth year as a way of assessing how major cultural events impact the development of those who experienced those events (Doherty et al., 2015). Differences in the views, beliefs, and values based on the broader cultural context created by historical events (large and small) are often the focus of discussions among generations. These “back in my day” comparisons are a natural consequence of these generational comparisons. Generational changes serve as a constant reminder of the importance of environmental and cultural influences on human development.