I was sitting down over coffee with a college student a few weeks ago. He was describing his desire to “follow his heart” and enjoy life, even if it meant not making a lot of money. It got me thinking about the different thought processes of the last three generations.
- In my grandparents generation the main question in America was: “What can I do to serve my country?” prompted by the famous quote by JFK. Tom Brokaw’s book title declares that this was the greatest generation. This had/has some incredible benefits: a generation marked by sacrifice, loyalty and a mindset of serving beyond ourselves. But what can come as a result, especially among Christians, is is a misplaced priority of country above the kingdom of God.
- In my parents generation the main question was: “How do I make a living and provide for my family?” prompted by the end of World War II and the economic boom in the U.S. What resulted was just that: a booming economy spawning hard-working, entrepreneurial go-getters who made things happen. But the damaging effects were greed, an unbalanced life, an unhealthy drive for more and a generation of children deeply affected by having anything they wanted – except the time and attention of their parents, the very thing they want(ed) most.
- In the current generation the main question is: “How can I have significant experiences that make my life worthwhile?” prompted by a strong response to what many experienced in their own families. McMansions are everywhere, but so are the feelings of isolation, loneliness and a bland and sanitary understanding of life. What resulted was a conviction that money isn’t all its cracked up to be. But what can happen is that Experience can become an idol (just like loyalty to country or money in previous generations).
Many fresh college graduates today want to travel the world or bomb around in a beat up Jeep and camp around the country for who knows how long. And that’s not all bad…
But my grandparents’ generation asks what happens if your country needs you to enlist in order to defend our freedom? Is the proper response: “Well, that’s not a cool experience for me so no thanks”? My parents’ generation thinks the Experience Mentality is short-sighted and wonders (quite sensibly in some senses) how their children will provide for their families. “What happens if an entire generation just followed their heart,” they ask. “Have you thought through how you will provide for your family in the future?”
Each generation has a noble question that drives them.
Each generation makes beneficial contributions to society.
And each generation must live with unhealthy consequences of the driving question of their day.
I don’t think any of these questions on the surface are inherently evil – but taken too far they become idols.
What do you think?
Which response is most appropriate for our time?
How do we ensure that noble questions aren’t taken too far and ultimately become idols?
Do you agree or disagree with the generational mindsets above?
Ben Sternke said...
1I concur. I think these questions are indeed what tends to drive these generations. I think they also become driving forces behind the narrative people see themselves living, the identity they take on, the ambitions that give meaning to their lives.
The Boomers collected material goods as their “totems” that signified they were living the good life, and the younger generations (Y more than X I think) collect experiences as their totems, and then publish them on Facebook!
This post on Mike Breen’s blog makes a similar point, and I found it to be interesting reading:
http://mikebreen.wordpress.com/2010/07/08/working-with-gen-ymillenials/
07/9/10 1:04 PM | Comment Link
Rick said...
2Great post, very thoughtful!
07/20/10 10:06 AM | Comment Link