How wide is the generational divide?
How did you learn about sex?
The answer to that question likely depends on when you were born. Perhaps you were handed a textbook. Maybe you watched a TikTok. Or maybe it wasn't a conversation in your home.
The question is just one example of how generations identify with a shared experience. For Boomers, Millennials, Gen Z and Gen X, collective thinking about America's current state is relative to what the world looked like when you were born, the tools you've had to navigate through it and what problems were encountered. Understanding what uniquely defines each generation's approach to hot-button issues gives valuable insights into different points of view.
Good morning! 👋 Nicole Fallert here and welcome to Your Week, our newsletter exclusively for Paste BN subscribers (that's you!). This week, we feature Paste BN's exclusive series about the generations that define America today and how their experiences tell the story of our country.
But first, don't miss these stories made possible by your Paste BN subscription:
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Young, old, middle age: American
Identifying with a generation becomes a shorthand for references to shared common cultural experiences, advances in technology and behaviors forged by witnessing collective significant historical events. Generational identity also informs legislation, marketing, health care and retirement.
While generational stereotypes aren't a perfect way to determine a person's identity, they help policymakers, educators, researchers and other experts establish a baseline. These categories intersect with other classifications, like race, disability, gender and class, to map out American life today.
Gen Z, millennial, zillennial? Find your generation — and what it means — by year
For this project, Paste BN journalists provided a guide to help you find your generation by year. Then, we broke down how generations feel about four hot-button issues: voting, sex, climate and retirement. These focus areas were chosen intentionally to discover how thinking about these topics compares across generations.
"One of the most heartening findings, for me, was seeing how there are a good number of Gen Zers focused on retirement savings at a young age," said Paste BN reporter Bailey Schulz, who explored how retirement stresses all generations.
"I was surprised at how similar my conversations were with people across generations," said David Oliver, Paste BN Wellness reporter who spoke with Americans of all ages about sex. "No matter how we learn about sex, it's still awkward and exciting and scary and beautiful – which makes it difficult but important to discuss."
Elizabeth Weise, Paste BN science reporter, wrote about climate and the generational divide. She was surprised to find there's not a big difference between young and old people concerning climate change.
"It was really fascinating to talk to Americans of all ages about their thoughts and concerns about climate change and how it impacts their lives," Weise said. "I was impressed by older folks who in their later years have really taken on the cause on behalf of the generations coming up, and the commitment of Gen Z to living the change they want to see."
Please explore each part of the series! Our journalists challenge you to read about generations that are not your own.
- How will Black voters impact the 2024 election? Depends on which generation you ask.
- The stereotype is that only young people care about climate change. But activists in their 80s have protested from their rocking chairs.
- Dozens of people of all ages embraced these fears and told Paste BN about their sex lives and sexual awakenings (or lack thereof). But does each generation think and talk about sex differently?
- Feelings on retirement? Boomers feel unprepared, while Gen Xers worry they're behind schedule, and millennials are feeling the squeeze.
Thank you
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Best wishes,
Nicole Fallert