U3L3: Generations in Canada

Question 1

What is a generation?

Answer 1

A group of individuals who are about the same age and have experienced historical events, such as economic crises, economic booms, war, and political changes. In demography, generations are based exclusively on the years in which a group of people are born.

Question 1

Summarize the statistics Canadas definition of gen video

Answer 1

• Gen alpha: aged 8 or younger (born 2013-2021)
• Gen z: aged 9 to 24 (born 1997-2012)
• Gen Y (millennials): aged 25 to 40 (born 1981-1996)
• Gen X: aged 41 to 55 (born 1966-1980)
• Baby boomers: aged 41 to 55 (born 1946-1965)
• Interwar gen: aged 76 to 93 (born 1928-1945)
• Greatest gen: Aged 94+ (born bfr 1928)

Question 2

Explain the characteristics of the baby boomer (1946-1965)

Answer 2

• characteristized by the sudden rise in the number of births after WWII
• More then 8.2mill babies were born
• Average number of children per woman was 3.7
• the baby boomer gen continues to be the largest in Canada
• Heading into retirement (aging pop’n)
• By 2031, all boomers will be 65+
• Known for their individuality and self expression (EX: less dependent on tech —> more likely to go to bank IRL instead of online booking)

Question 3

Why did the baby boom happen?

Answer 3

• Returning soldiers wanted to marry and raise a family
• women were expected to leave the jobs they occupied during the war and return to domestic sphere
• post-war economic prosperity allowed couples to afford several kids
• period of increased immigration

Question 4

Why did the baby boom end?

Answer 4

• the 1960s brought new opportunities for women
• more women pursuing higher eduction + entering the workforce
• intro of the birth control pill
• these factors influenced women to delay having children

Question 5

Explain the characteristics of Gen X - the baby bust (1967-1979)

Answer 5

• a smaller cohort characteristized by a period of declining birth rates (birth control)
• some are children of baby boomers

Question 6

Explain the characteristics of Gen Y - millennials (1980-1995)

Answer 6

• For the most part, rep they children of the baby boomers
• a lot of boomers = a lot of echo boomers
• second largest cohort
• as of 2021, the youngest millennials are around 25-26 while the oldest are in their late 30s/early 40s

Question 7

Explain the characteristics of Gen Z (mid 1990s - early 2010s)

Answer 7

• children of gen x and y
• familiar w tech
• true digital natives
• values such as inclusivity, social justice, authenticity, diversity, etc
• they are resourceful, independent, and motivated
• short attention span
• higher rates of mental disorders
• very realistic
• most interconnected
• not afraid of failure