What do you think should be the cut off date for millennials and why?

[Anonymous]

I think 2000.

[RomanticRealist]

Interesting question! I think the most common consensus is around 1995/1996, and that always seemed okay to me, although even 1996 sometimes seems pushing it to me. But Get Y was settled as a 16 year span, so I think following that trend makes sense - and definitely considering what that span means for people and the circumstances of their childhoods, what cultural moments influenced and shaped them, relationships with technology as children, economic circumstances, etc.

Pew Research Center has a good article on this with some important points and there's likely a lot more to the cultural and generational differences here.

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/01/17/where-millennials-end-and-generation-z-begins/

"Most Millennials were between the ages of 5 and 20 when the 9/11 terrorist attacks shook the nation, and many were old enough to comprehend the historical significance of that moment, while most members of Gen Z have little or no memory of the event. Millennials also grew up in the shadow of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which sharpened broader views of the parties and contributed to the intense political polarization that shapes the current political environment. And most Millennials were between 12 and 27 during the 2008 election, where the force of the youth vote became part of the political conversation and helped elect the first black president. Added to that is the fact that Millennials are the most racially and ethnically diverse adult generation in the nation’s history. Yet the next generation – Generation Z – is even more diverse.

Beyond politics, most Millennials came of age and entered the workforce facing the height of an economic recession. As is well documented, many of Millennials’ life choices, future earnings and entrance to adulthood have been shaped by this recession in a way that may not be the case for their younger counterparts. The long-term effects of this “slow start” for Millennials will be a factor in American society for decades.

Technology, in particular the rapid evolution of how people communicate and interact, is another generation-shaping consideration. Baby Boomers grew up as television expanded dramatically, changing their lifestyles and connection to the world in fundamental ways. Generation X grew up as the computer revolution was taking hold, and Millennials came of age during the internet explosion.

In this progression, what is unique for Generation Z is that all of the above have been part of their lives from the start. The iPhone launched in 2007, when the oldest Gen Zers were 10. By the time they were in their teens, the primary means by which young Americans connected with the web was through mobile devices, WiFi and high-bandwidth cellular service. Social media, constant connectivity and on-demand entertainment and communication are innovations Millennials adapted to as they came of age. For those born after 1996, these are largely assumed.

The implications of growing up in an 'always on' technological environment are only now coming into focus. Recent research has shown dramatic shifts in youth behaviors, attitudes and lifestyles – both positive and concerning – for those who came of age in this era. What we don’t know is whether these are lasting generational imprints or characteristics of adolescence that will become more muted over the course of their adulthood. Beginning to track this new generation over time will be of significant importance."

Interesting topic for sure!

[RomanticRealist]

I'd even go to 1994 when I think about it. 1995 would probably be my cut off though

[Kaneki05]

It's all arbitrary anyway.

[Asker]

I personally think it should be 2000. What do you think?

[Static_In_The_Attic]

I’m rolling with 1999 on this one.

[Degenerate]

The cut off should be when it's not consensual

[Asker]

Explain please. 😊

[Degenerate]

When the relationship is no longer consensual

[Asker]

Ohhh, I meant just the generation alone. Apparently it’s between 1981-1996 or something but I disagree with that. The cut off date for the birth date of the millennials.