25 Aug 2016 Times of transition
by Vivian Lawson Hogue
It has been said that there are six cultural generations living in our country, most of them distinctly different. Within those are several sub-generations. In my own family, my father was technically of the Lost Generation, (1883-1900); my mother and oldest brother were of the GI Generation (1901-1926). The remaining four are of the Silent Generation (1925-1945). All generations have their traits, although not everyone exhibits them.
The Greatest Generation was born between 1901 and 1945. Grouped within it were the sub-categories of the GI Generation and Silent Generation, which encompassed the Great Depression and two world wars. Like no generation before or since, patriots intensely suffered and sacrificed at home and in battle on foreign soil to save our country and way of life. They shunned debt and divorce while promoting frugality, the right to vote and strong morals. There was no retirement, and long-time employment with one business was beneficial to the company and the individual.
Of those two sub-categories, the Silent Generation of 1927-1945 would see World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam and the ravages of poliomyelitis. It experienced the advent of city subdivisions, experimental television and movies that are revered even today. Big-Band music with respectable lyrics lasted until the mid-1960s. Moral values still reigned with marriage still sacred and divorce unacceptable. Schools taught the basics of education needed for advanced learning. In the town of Conway alone, with populations well below 7,000, there were many local residents who became prominent medical researchers, educators, businessmen, physicians, inventors, higher echelon military personnel, Secret Service members and other contributing professionals.
Baby Boomers arrived between 1946 and 1964 with sub-categories due to the Vietnam War and moral values becoming more relaxed. They were the first to have two-salary parents, better finances and experience growth of parental divorce. While in college in 1962, I read of “hippies” and their use of LSD, cocaine and marijuana and being naively self-assured that it would never happen in Arkansas and certainly not Conway. I was wrong, as it happened within 10 years. Some scholars now call this the “Me” generation because of an emphasis on “self” rather than “all.”
Descriptions of those born between 1965 and 1980, or Generation X, seem burdensome. Divorce became more common as were single-parent children. Its traits were many, but among them were the occurrence of AIDS, increased drugs in schools, cohabitation rather than marriage, frequent moves and the beginning of endless, disruptive changes in education programs.
Born between 1981 and 2000 was the generation called Generation Y. Their whole future would involve the use of computers. This generation came home after school to find no parent home, perhaps for hours. I recall one student telling me he never saw his parents, that they communicated by leaving notes. He did see them on weekends “if they were not making social rounds.” This was also an era when multiple after-school activities made homework difficult to do. Unfortunately, they now have knowledge of school violence and sexual subjects like no generation before.
But let’s get back to Baby Boomers. To me, they are intriguing for several reasons. Many were born three years after me, yet have similar values and tastes in music and literature. They expect their children and grandchildren to have their similar values, but it is becoming more difficult!
My parents, with their Victorian-era influence, taught us to “Make do or do without.” They handed down their values, knowledge and expectations to us, and we naturally bestowed them upon our own children. Many families have done the same, but during each newer generation, it becomes more difficult to convey the benefits. One can only hand down successful instructions by word and example, as Deuteronomy 4:9, directs us to “. . .teach them to your children and to their children after them.”
It is challenging to be objective and search for the traits of one’s own generation. However, keep in mind that we still have Generation Z, called “Boomlets,” that were born after 2001. This could become interesting!
A native of Conway, Vivian Lawson Hogue graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a degree in art education. A retired teacher, she worked in the Conway School District for 23 years. She is editor of the Faulkner County Historical Society’s semi-annual publication, “Faulkner Facts and Fiddlings.” She can be reached at [email protected].
