What generation is my child? A guide to generations by year

Learning about your child's generation can help you understand their perspective and relate to them better, instead of tearing your hair out wondering why they're acting in a way that you never did. So, next time your Baby Boomer mum or dad criticises your Millennial-style gentle parenting or says the eternally annoying phrase "back in my day we didn't do that" or your Gen Alpha kid pulls you up on your shoddy recycling or lack of digital skills, just remember they're not trying to annoy you, it's just how their generation rolls.

So, if you're wondering "what generation am I?" or "what generation is my child?" and why it matters, read our generation guide below...

Also, discover our guide on helicopter parenting which is most often used in relation to baby boomer parents and Gen X parents, although of course you can find helicopter parents of all ages and in all generations, usually when people who are perfectionists or with anxious personalities have children.

Generations by year

While dividing humans up into generations by birth date isn't an exact science, social scientists do agree on the approximate time periods that each generation falls into.

Below we've included the estimated birth range of each different generation, the characteristics that many people born in each one might have and what challenges each generation faces, so you can relate to your kids better, understand how they see the world and gain an insight into how your parenting style affects them.

G.I. Generation: 1901-1927

The G.I. Generation, also known as The Greatest Generation or the World War 2 Generation, is the name given to the demographic group born between 1901 and 1927. People in this generation came of age during the 1940s and either fought in or lived through World War 2 and experienced The Great Depression.

G.I. Generation characteristics:

With so much fighting and hardship going on around them and losing so many loved ones, many people in this generation prioritised hard work and grit, putting in long hours at work to improve the economic situation and not complaining about their lot. However it wasn't all doom and gloom, this generation knew how to let their hair down and are praised for their amazing contributions to cinema, music (especially jazz and swing) and architecture.

Challenges faced by the G.I. Generation:

This generation probably faced the most challenges of any of its successors – poverty, economic turmoil, war, and loss of loved ones and as a result became very resilient, frugal and family-oriented.

The Silent Generation: 1928-1945

People who fall into the 1928 - 1945 birth bracket are known as The Silent Generation often due to the fact that they were seen as conformists and traditionalists who didn't openly speak up about their political beliefs or because of the way they were raised to "be seen and not heard".

This generation were children during World War 2 so grew up in a turbulent period often without their fathers at home or in someone else's home if they had been evacuated. On the other hand, they enjoyed more freedoms than children today – playing out on the streets without adult supervision from a much earlier age.

Silent Generation Characteristics:

Like their parents, this generation were expected to work hard and earn their success. Classic characteristics associated with this generation include being disciplined, loyal, having strong values and enjoying social contact in person.

Challenges faced by the Silent Generation

Being born in the middle of a world war and the Great Depression isn't an ideal start to life and this generation also had to cope with the loss of family members from an early age.

Baby Boomers: 1946-1964

Many of today's great-grandparents and grandparents will fall into this category. They're called baby boomers because they were born during a baby boom when there was a large increase in the number of births after the war. This large generation grew up in a time of increasing prosperity, thriving businesses and the introduction of consumer products. Many were able to get on the housing ladder fairly easily.

Baby Boomer Characteristics:

Many of today's kids will think of baby boomers as their out-of-touch grandparents, but they might be surprised to learn that boomers enjoyed a wild and free youth in the 60s and 70s that they often refer to as "the good old days". Boomers were the first generation to focus on their children's perspective and to give them more of a say in family life as well as pushing them to go to university.

Challenges faced by Baby Boomers:

Boomers tend to have a negative outlook as they get older because the current social and economic climate isn't easy as it was in their youth. Baby boomers are also the generation to live the longest of any generation so far and have grown up in the most rapid period of technological innovation.

Generation X: 1965-1980

Generation X are sometimes unfairly referred to as slackers because they are the first generation to really prioritise a work-life balance and to focus on how they can be the best parents possible. Encouraging individualism and giving back through acts like volunteering are important to this generation. Gen Xs grew up watching music videos, playing with Game Boys and witnessed the rise of the internet as well as the AIDs epidemic.

Gen X Characteristics:

The original "helicopter parents", Gen Xs show a huge amount of interest in their children's social and educational development, encouraging them to try new things and are always there to support and protect them. Generation X are also known for championing causes such as LGBTQ+ rights and using their spare time to help others.

Challenges faced by Gen X:

Also known as the sandwich generation, Gen X currently find themselves looking after both young children and their ageing parents. Generation X also struggle in a workplace that's constantly changing in terms of technology and can be seen as being resistant to change, having grown up in a time of such rapid development.

Millennials (also known as Generation Y): 1981-1996

Known as Millennials because they were children at the turn of the millennium, this is the only generation to grow up both with and without the internet and mobile phones. Many millennials were children as different social media platforms were being introduced.

Millennials have entered the work world at a time of recession and find it much harder than previous generations to buy houses or save money. They're more likely to spend any money they earn on holidays or nights out, are rarely seen without a smartphone and are sometimes referred to as "self-centred" by older generations.

Millennial Characteristics:

Millennials are more concerned about the environment than their parents and are usually very values-driven. They're more likely to delay having children until they've had a career and enjoyed their 20s, and don't feel the need to be married or have a traditional family set up. Many millennials are deciding not to have children at all.

Challenges faced by Millennials:

Many Millennials had helicopter parents so are more relaxed in their parenting style and encourage their kids to be whomever they want to. The cost of living is one of the biggest challenges for Millennials, who have student debts to contend with and have had to work or been furloughed through the Covid-19 pandemic. The other major challenge for Millennials is social media and the pressure to be a "perfect parent" while still holding down a job and spending quality time with their children.

Gen Z: 1997-2012

Gen Z are the first generation to have grown up in a world where they can constantly be in touch with others and access information at the touch of a button. Many people in this generation were at school or university during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gen Z Characteristics:

Environmentally conscious as well as extremely politically engaged, Gen Z aren't afraid to share their opinions and campaign for the change they seek. Gen Zs are more accepting of others than previous generations and are inclusive. This generation are open to being experimental and often challenge traditions. As parents, they are likely to prioritise their children's wellbeing and mental health.

Challenges faced by Gen Z:

Everything this generation does is recorded instantly on social media and that leaves them open to lots of critique and pressure. They are also overloaded with information online about parenting. Gen Z are growing up and becoming adults in a time of economic uncertainty and job insecurity.

Generation Alpha: 2013-present day

Today's tweens, primary school kids, pre-schoolers and babies are known as Generation Alpha and are the most tech-savvy generation yet. They're the first generation to be born entirely in the 21st Century and many of them were babies or toddlers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This generation will be the most educated generation yet, although their education will look a little different with top grades and university places being less coveted and more focus on gaining life skills and enjoying positive learning experiences.

Gen Alpha Characteristics:

As the oldest Alphas are only just approaching their teenage years, not much is known about their characteristics yet, although we do know they are the most diverse generation with many growing up in non-traditional families and are therefore likely to be very inclusive and accepting. One thing's for certain, because their parents encourage them to have opinions and be individuals from an early age, unlike their great-grandparents from The Silent Generation, Generation Alpha will certainly be seen and heard!

Challenges faced by Gen Alpha:

Parents of Gen Alpha worry about the amount of screen time their children are exposed to and the mental and physical effects of this, from obesity and depression to poor eyesight. This generation are also growing up with AI and the challenges that poses.