A Letter from the Editors

It’s inevitable for social norms and cultural values to constantly change with the diversifying world population, as illustrated through the growing “generation gap” between newer and older generations. As the current conflict between “Baby Boomers” and “Millennials” ensues, the new generation, dubbed “Gen Z” seems to face the same tragic fate.

However, this “generation gap” poses a big issue. Since this idea of division is broadcasted all over the media, people have begun to accept the separation. But, these so-called “differences” between generations shouldn’t matter for many world issues today.

Ultimately, creating these boxed identities only positively benefits businesses, who use these stereotypes in marketing campaigns to match these demographics. Thus, generalities ensue—Baby Boomers are overly sentimental, Millennials are obsessed with avocado toast, and Generation Z are super-glued to their phones.

Obviously, some of these statements are based in a grain of truth. For example, the advent of technology in the 2000s changed the job market forever, as those born in the 90’s and so forth found themselves able to communicate in ways that their predecessors never envisioned. However, splitting people into generational categories leads to each generation deeming the next one as the worse.

Surprisingly, the old is now really the new in pop culture. In fact, a new wave of vintage and 80’s aesthetics have hit the younger population of America. Famous bands from the 70’s and 80’s like Queen and Pink Floyd are now back “in style” with today’s youth. Even old classic movies have resurfaced, giving parents and their children a topic of conversation.

The tangling of generational “culture” is also depicted in the older population’s attempts to understand advanced technology. Although Generation X and Baby Boomers are not as tech-savvy as their younger counterparts, they are doing a decent job at adapting to newer technology, which can resemble an entirely new language.

Despite the apparent cultural deviations between age ranges of the century, generation gaps are conventions that cannot be focused on.

It is futile to define others by the generation they belong to and unnecessary in a country already so strongly divided in its beliefs.