Generational diversity—the nexters

AORN Journal, Sept, 2003 by Sherry L. Clausing, Doris L. Kurtz, Judith Prendeville, Janet Lynn Walt

Multigenerational diversity is not new, but for the first time in recent history, the workforce includes four generations of employees. Although these generations share some common values and beliefs, they also exhibit differences stemming from the experiences of their eras.

The Veterans (ie, people born between 1922 and 1943) were children of the Great Depression and World War II. They lived through the Korean War and are recognized for their strong traditional views of God, family, and country. Their core values include respect far authority, loyalty, hard work, and dedication. (1)

The Baby Boomers (ie, people born between 1943 and 1960) did not experience the same difficulties as their parents. They grew up during a time of great economic growth and prosperity. Their lives were influenced by the civil rights movement, women's liberation, the space program, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War. They place a high value on youth, health, personal gratification, and material wealth. Baby Boomers are optimistic and believe their generation changed the world. (2)

Generation Xers (ie, people born between 1960 and 1980) sometimes are referred to as the misunderstood generation. They are the product of self-centered, work-driven Baby Boomer parents. Watergate, the advent of MTV, single-parent homes, and latchkey experiences played influential roles in their development. They were the first generation to embrace the personal computer and the Internet. They welcome diversity, are motivated by money, believe in balance in their lives, are self-reliant, and value free time and having fun. (3)

VALUES, BELIEFS, AND WORLD VIEWS OF THE NEXTERS

Nexters--also called Neters, Millennials, Generation Y, and Generation Next--are those people born between 1980 and 2000. (4) They have no recollection of the Reagan era, do not remember the Cold War, and have known only one Germany. Their world has always had AIDS, answering machines, microwave ovens, and videocassette recorders. This generation includes more than 81 million people, approximately 30%, of the current population. (4) They are greater in number than the Baby Boom generation. The Nexters will enter the workforce in large numbers as the Baby Boomers did, and they will influence changes in the work environment, just as the Baby Boomers did in the past.

A survey of 27,000 12- to 19-year-olds revealed characteristics of the Nexter generation, including that they are

* self-reliant--they take responsibility for their own success independent of others;

* family-oriented--they rely on family as a sanctuary against the difficulties of life;

* brand-conscious--they place high value on brand name identification (eg, clothing);

* consumerist--Nexters shop, but they will not buy things that don't meet their needs and are skeptical of slick marketing promotions;

* mobile--Nexters promise to be the most mobile generation ever and already travel on the Internet;

* addicted to the media--it is not uncommon for Nexters to do homework, listen to a compact disc, watch television, and communicate online at the same time;

* fun-seeking--still mostly kids, they do not become bored because they have many options; and

* hopeful--they are not pessimistic or cynical but optimistic, and they expect to be happy adults. (4)

This generation looks up to, respects, and admires their parents. They feel close family relationships are a key to happiness. They want to work hard to do a good job, and they think saving money is cool. They believe that learning is a lifelong priority, investigate everything, and question the assumptions that have created the corporate culture. (4)

Nexters are a more global generation than any previous generation. With the technology available to them, they can communicate with people throughout the world, and they view the planet as an ever-shrinking place in terms of cultural diversity. With this increased ability to communicate comes an increased desire to network and see how they can work together to help the world. (5) They are tolerant of different cultures; accepting of blended families and divorce; and oblivious to gender, race, living arrangements, and socioeconomic status.

Nexters exceed all other generations in their knowledge of computers and technology. Technology is assimilation for them, whereas for everyone else it is an accommodation--a more difficult learning process. (6), Their style of thinking is influenced by computers. Instead of traditional linear thinking (ie, point A to point B to point C) their thought processes involve a mosaic mode of moving randomly among a series of points before integrating them into a coherent pattern and drawing a conclusion. (6) This allows faster processing and greater absorption of information. Educators need to understand this new way of thinking and consider altering traditional teaching styles to accommodate Nexters' thinking and learning style. Nexters' pattern of thinking enhances their educational process and contributes to the skills they bring to the workforce, but it also may be responsible for misunderstandings and tension between generations.