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I recently received four weeks of leadership training through my employer and as a part of that training the topic of "generational differences" was spoken of quite often. There seems to be a lot of research out there to study and understand the various generations living today. Topics such as what their cares and concerns are, what they like and dislike, how they view family, work and the use of time and money are frequently studied. Here's a couple of thoughts I've had through all this. In terms of the current research, generations can't really be defined as a finite number of years, but seem to be categorized by peer influences or trends over time. In other words, generations seem to be shaped by age segregated groups' experiences and activities and the way societal trends focus or market to those age groups. That seems to be the driving force behind the current definition of what a generation actually is..... The peer influencing of a group to the point where an identity is reached by that shared influence or by the shared experience of that group within an event or in reaction to one (i.e. WWII, JFK assassination, Vietnam, Columbine, and 9/11). It's interesting that many researchers group the "Traditionals" as those born 1901-1942-5. A huge 45 year group. Why did they last so long? Were the Traditionals in many ways living off of the bank deposit of values of their parents and grandparents before them? Though not perfect by any stretch of imagination, I think that group known as "Traditionals" were given the last widespread model of at least a semi-biblical parental discipleship. By contrast, Baby Boomers run from 1945-1960, only 15 years. Gen X'ers 1961-1981, Millenials 1982-2002 and the current "Z" Generation 2003 till who knows when. I can't help but see this largely as a function of age segregation in education, church life, social life, etc.  Why is it that specific age groups across great distances share similar character traits, habits, desires, etc. and how does that differ from the larger time span known as the "traditional" generation? I think it's because age groups in the last 50-60 years are generally segregated and then institutionalized in our culture. That fact combined along with the failure of parents to disciple their children creates a dark chasm of debased existence within our borders.  In short, age segregation is responsibl