What events impacted your generation the most?
As a millennial, September 11th looms large on us. The economic crash of 2008 impacted me the most. Gas prices skyrocketed to three dollars a gallon. You could no longer assume a fulltime job at the end of college. These events led to skepticism and independence for many. Each generation has to wrestle with their response to the significant events of their day.
Generation Alpha consists of children born between 2010-2024. Joe Pinkster from the Atlantic provided an early snapshot of this generation in his article, “Oh No, They’ve Come Up With Another Generation Label.”
Stereotypes from older generations rarely help. Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z can all tell you their disdain from the broad critiques. This is why we have faced sweeping generational conflict and divides. I believe we have an opportunity with Generation Alpha to become more empathic and empowering in our relationship with the younger generation.
I find myself trying to look through the eyes of my daughter Hayley. How will she and her friends see and understand the world? Most of all, I ask myself, how will this Coronavirus pandemic shape the way she lives?
Parents, grandparents, pastors, teachers, leaders, and those influencing the next generation have a moment to reflect on how this season will impact Generation Alpha for the years to come.
I’m not a generational expert, but I would like to offer a few insights for us to get the conversation started on how the Coronavirus will affect the next generation:
Smaller networks of friends and confidants.
The Coronavirus brought families together. Generation Alpha has a smaller group of friends and family expedited by the quarantine. My generation wanted to take the world by force with social media with the good and bad. I wonder if this generation will embrace smaller and deeper relationships.
The embracing of quality time.
Parents have shared with me their struggle of work-life-balance through working at home. Generation Alpha had access to their parents in ways that other generations did not through the Coronavirus. YOLO (You only live once) inspired generations to travel the world on their own. I wonder if this generation will continue to stay in place and plant roots.
Negotiating the value of digital and in-person.
Each new generation has brought its spin on the digital revolution. Reflect upon how much Generation Alpha has seen their family and friends on screen. What differences will they see in technology? I wonder how they will negotiate in-person and digital gatherings.
The necessity of a practical faith.
I think about my grandparents walking through the Great Depression. They told stories of how God provided for them in small ways. My generation balked out faith because of the distrust of institutions. It seems that Generation Z has questions of faith, reason, and season. I wonder if this generation will focus specifically on how faith will play out in everyday life. It seems the pandemic moves us from existential questions to the survival of the day. I wonder if the most prominent question from Generation Alpha will be, “Does God really care about me?”
Time will tell how Generation Alpha will respond to the Coronavirus. It’s not too early for us to start asking questions to understand this generation.
What thoughts do you have on how the Coronavirus will impact Generation Alpha? Share in the comment section below.
Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash