When comparing generations the same flaw tends to repeat in most conversations. That flaw is an overgeneralization of people that fit into a specific generation. It is impossible to talk about a group of people and speak in absolutes. The typical thought about the younger generations (usually from older generations) is that they are all lazy and have no work ethic. Another common generalization about younger generations is that we lack moral values. Both of these examples are true for a fraction of every generation to ever exist. However, that doesn’t mean that a whole generation can be written off for the short cumming of the few. A good modern example of this is when older generations see people that make a living on social media whether it’s youtube or a plethora of other options that exist today (Menand 6).
The most recent example of generational thinking in my life currently is about a close friend of mine, let’s call him Jack. Jack would be considered part of generation X. Jack’s life has been absurdly hard, from things he has made conscious decisions about and things that he had no control over. Some people would look at Jack and call him a whole slew of different things like lazy, addict, selfish, and more. However, Jack has constantly been told by people that he looks up to that he was “fuck up” or good for nothing by parents or “loved one.” However, this is not the guy that I know and this is the perfect example of overgeneralizing a situation by speaking in absolutes. Currently, Jack is coming off pain pills because the people he turned to while feeling down led him down the wrong path because he felt like he couldn’t turn to his family for help without being ridiculed. This is not something that he would have done if he wasn’t constantly being beaten down by those closest to him. The man I know and my family know is the guy that would bring flowers to my grandmother every time he saw her and constantly bring food and flowers to her while she was laying on her death bed. That is the man I know not what the man that others write him off to be.
Nathan, I think you’re absolutely right about the danger of thinking that generational categories are meaningful when applied to individuals. I have a couple of other comments:
–You should be more specific citing Menand–quoting a few words and being clearer about point of view would help (remember that he’s writing about other books: he’s making arguments about arguments…)
–Your example of “Jack” leaves me uncertain why it matters that he’s Gen X: is there a Gen X stereotype that you’re thinking of? (Being Gen X myself, the stereotype would have to potentially apply to me too!) Or are other social categories–race, class, gender, etc–more important in thinking about Jack’s fate?