Intergenerational Talk: It's Not Happening

Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z aren't often talking to each other

While Baby Boomers have only recently talked to another Boomer 43% of the time, Gen Z says it's more like 80% for them to connect with another Gen Z. Gen X (48%) and Millennials (50%) similarly leaned toward their own age bracket.

While each group most often connects with those in their own group. Gen Z only talks to Millennials 23% of the time, Gen X 17%, and Boomers only 10%. The same is true for Boomers as well only connecting with nearby Gen Xers 13% of the time, Millennials 8%, and Gen Z only 5%. 

Outside of fellow Millennials, they connect next with Gen X at only 22%. Meanwhile, Boomers vie for 33% of Gen X's communication efforts.

Sometimes, it's the vocabulary getting in the way

Vernacular changes through the ages. What was once far out for Boomers is now lit for Gen Z. Whether it's family, co-workers, or sudden acquaintances, the generations have a hard time understanding each other.

“The younger generation uses words differently than the older generation. They also use a lot of abbreviations that I don't understand.”

Another Boomer remarked that it's difficult “knowing the up-to-date slang.” Language is always on the move, and many in older generations have struggled to keep up.

Conversely, a Gen Z respondent said they're, "trying to sound more respectful and not use certain slangs they may not understand” when speaking with older generations. 

Technology is another culprit

“Older generations want to speak on the phone which isn't my preference. Younger generation is all about social media.”

Many Gen Xers and Millennials grew up in the age of social media. While they may have their bearings better than the Boomers do, the platforms are constantly changing. One Gen Xer laments about, “the challenges of keeping up with the changing social media platforms and what generation is using which one the most.” Many grew up amidst the dawn of MySpace and Facebook only to find most growth today on Snapchat or Tik Tok. 

A widening gulf

Long has been the stance of 'Kids these days!' from older adults. While the youth in the crowd bemoan a lack of understanding from their elders. 

“It's hard to communicate with the younger generation because they don't know or understand anything. Communicating with the older generation is hard sometimes because a lot of them are stuck in the past and won’t try to understand anything in these modern times.”

While arrogance in youth and stodginess as a senior are neither new scenarios, the mediums in which it occurs continue to evolve. The result is that the generations just aren't communicating often with those outside.

Yet, across generations, and even within, there isn't a single unifying method of communication.