Exploring the Generational Divide in Today’s Youth
Freshmen and eighth grade students have many disagreements. The most prominent disagreement, however, is where the line for the generational divide is drawn. The generational divide is defined as whether or not people born in a certain period are considered part of the same generation. However, there is yet to be a definite answer to which year is considered what generation. This is the cause of conflict between high schoolers and middle schoolers.
What is Generation Alpha? Gen Alpha can simply be described as the baby of the group. Most of what is said to define someone as Gen Alpha is related to current TikTok trends and what some describe as “brain rot.” Generation Alpha is a group of children who are considered immature by some, and are rarely involved with things like politics and the people around them.
Eighth-grade student Marlon Johnson said, “I don't want to be Gen Alpha, I want to be Gen Z.” In the eyes of some, it can be considered a bad thing to be a part of Gen Alpha. Generally, though, it depends on the person.
The most common definition of Generation Z is people born between 1998 and 2012. Freshman Natasha Sinha said, “I believe Gen Alpha is more immature and can be iPad kids and Sephora kids, Generation Alpha is just excited to be kids and act like kids.”
Sophomore Gia Dhaliwal said, “I believe that it is based on maturity level. A ninth grader could be born in a year considered Gen Alpha but they could act like someone from Gen Z.”
This shows that a ninth grader and an eighth grader born in the same year can be considered part of either generation. The effect of who you surround yourself with can be a factor in what generation you may be more affiliated with.
Middle School PE teacher Nabil Saad said, “I think there are similarities between the current ninth graders and the current eighth graders. If I were to compare the maturity level of the current eighth graders in September to the eighth graders from last year, I would say that the eighth graders from last year had a better grasp on what is happening around the world, including things like politics.”
Chris Crisolo said, “I believe that not one kid can be described as one generation. On multiple occasions people have said that I am both Millennial and Gen X, so I don't think it is fair to consider one person Gen Z or Gen Alpha when they possibly are not.”
It seems like the generational divide cannot be defined as one thing. In some people's eyes, the generational divide is set at people who were born in 2012. But to others, the generational divide cannot be defined by numbers; someone's personality plays a part in what generation they could be considered as.
