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Introduction To Generational Theory
Introduction To Generational Theory
Introduction To Generational Theory
To cite this article: Yolande Knight (Manager) (2009) Talkin’ ‘bout my generation: a brief
introduction to generational theory, Planet, 21:1, 13-15, DOI: 10.11120/plan.2009.00210013
Yolande Knight
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If you have been watching television or reading about recruitment and retention of current and
newspapers recently, you may have noticed that future generations. However, he also acknowledged
the topic of ‘generations’, especially in terms of that Generational Theory is contested knowledge,
VWXGHQWVDQGWKHLUSDUHQWVKDVEHHQ¿QGLQJLWV suffering from an over-use of generational labels
way into the headlines. Interviews and articles and its current ‘in-vogue’ adoption by the media.
have covered the issue of generations in terms of Paul’s keynote encouraged me to investigate
education, job recruitment and even, most recently, Generational Theory a little further, and what
the current state of the economy. Paul Redmond, follows is a summary of my understanding (as
Head of Careers at the University of Liverpool, a relative newcomer) of the theory and a few
has been providing expertise for the media thoughts on where it may lead us in terms of
(BBC Education News, viewed 2008; Redmond, working with students.
2008a) on ‘Generational Theory’ and its potential
UDPL¿FDWLRQVIRU+LJKHU(GXFDWLRQDQGLQWXUQ The basic ideas of successive generations and the
discussed this theory during his thought-provoking tensions between those generations is nothing
and timely keynote session on day two of our GEES new: Homer recognized these issues in the Iliad.
residential conference, July 2008, themed around Generational Theory itself has been developed by
employability, employer engagement and enterprise social scientists as one mechanism that can help
(Redmond, 2008b). explain cultural change: simplistic descriptions state
that this theory describes the ‘era’ that an individual
Paul introduced Generational Theory through is born into and how it affects the development
discussion of past, present and future generations of their world view. Many magazine and internet
and how they interact with their peers, their parents sources state that each ‘generation’ tends to be 20
and employers. He discussed the lessons that could \HDUVLQOHQJWKDQGERXQGHGE\VLJQL¿FDQWHYHQWV
be learned by both Higher Education and employers but the academic literature, as one might expect,
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Although it can often be comforting to feel BBC Education News. ‘The Curse of the
part of a generational group, it can also be Meddling Parent’, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/
constraining: the use of generational tags can education/7169429.stm Viewed 2008.
leave individuals feeling labeled and boxed in. Diepstraten et al. (1999) Talkin’ ‘Bout My
Generation: Ego and Alter Images of Generations in
Recognition of generational differences can the Netherlands, The Netherlands’ Journal of Social
be positive, as long as individual generations Sciences, 35 (2) pp. 91-109.
do not ‘blame’ the incoming or outgoing Mannheim, K. (1952) The Problem of
generations for these differences. Generations. (VVD\VRIWKH6RFLRORJ\RI.QRZOHGJH
(Ed. Kecskemeti, P.), New York: Oxford University
Recognition of such differences can also go in Press (pp. 276-322). Original publication in 1928.
both temporal directions: if Generation Y can Redmond, P. (2008a) ‘Here Comes the Chopper’,
gain an understanding of previous generations, Education Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/
it can only help them in the world of work. education/2008/jan/02/students.uk Viewed 2008.
Redmond, P. (2008b)‘Talkin’ about my
I would like to encourage readers to listen to Paul’s generation!’ Generation Y and the challenge of
keynote presentation if they have not already graduate employability, Powerpoint presentation
done so. It is available as audio and as a set and audio recording, GEES SC Website http://www.
of Powerpoint slides from the GEES SC website gees.ac.uk/events/2008/ac08/ac08.htm
(www.gees.ac.uk) (Redmond, 2008b). I would Viewed 2008.
also welcome your thoughts on this article, if you Strauss, W. and Howe, N. (1991) Generations:
think it worth further consideration. Please feel WKH+LVWRU\RI$PHULFD¶V)XWXUHWR
free to email me with your thoughts and how, if Perennial, 1992 (Reprint)
appropriate, the GEES SC might take this topic
further in relation to not only employability and Yolande Knight
employer engagement, but learning, teaching and Yolande.knight@plymouth.ac.uk
assessment as a whole.