Generation (from the APA Dictionary of Psychology):
n. the average time interval between the birth of parents and the birth of their offspring.
Generation (from the Open Education Sociology Dictionary):
n. A group of people who experienced a common historical period
n. A level in a kinship hierarchy
n. A group at a similar level in the life course.
Generational Status (from the United States Census Bureau):
The U.S. Census Bureau uses the term generational status to refer to the place of birth of an individual or an individual’s parents. Questions on place of birth and parental place of birth are used to define the first, second, and third-and-higher generations. The first generation refers to those who are foreign born. The second generation refers to those with at least one foreign-born parent. The third-and-higher generation includes those with two U.S. native parents.
Generation Gap (from the Social Work Dictionary):
The differences in values, lifestyles, and economic opportunities that exist between people of different age cohorts living in the same society.
Generational Equity (from the Social Work Dictionary):
A fair and appropriately balanced distribution of resources and responsibilities between age groups. Where such equity does not exist, for example, younger people might be unfairly burdened with high taxes and future national indebtedness to provide a standard of living for older people that is higher than what they can expect when they become old. Conversely, in a “pay-as-you-go” economy, older people could be required to pay high taxes for the education and infrastructure used by young people without commensurate assurance that their own economic needs will be met in their older years.
In social work practice, generational status refers to an individual’s position within a family’s or community’s generational hierarchy, often distinguishing between first-generation, second-generation, and subsequent generations. For example, a first-generation individual may be someone who immigrated to a new country, while second-generation individuals are typically the children of immigrants who may have been born in the host country. Generational status can impact an individual’s identity, acculturation experiences, access to resources, and how they navigate intergenerational family dynamics and cultural expectations. Social workers know that generational status can influence an individual's sense of belonging, societal integration, and mental health, especially for those experiencing generational conflict or pressure to conform to differing cultural norms. Social workers must consider how generational status shapes clients' needs, challenges, and strengths and provide support that is culturally sensitive and affirming of diverse generational experiences.
Additional Resources:
Social psychologist Leah Georges shows how we're more similar than different and offers helpful tactics for navigating the multigenerational workplace.
Discover the untold complexities between 1st and 2nd generation immigrants, with Cindy Tran, a seasoned professional and mother navigating two worlds. Discover the untold complexities between 1st and 2nd generation immigrants, with Cindy Tran, a seasoned professional and mother navigating two worlds.
In this third special, explore how people in different age groups see themselves and their place in America. Through self-shot video, they share common experiences that bind age groups together and generational differences that put them at odds with one another.
The design of this page was partly adapted from Research: By Course, Subject, or Topic, by University of Arizona Libraries, © 2020 The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University of Arizona, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
