Are Generations Even a Thing?

Generational labels function primarily as marketing tools rather than scientific classifications, often relying on broad, reductive stereotypes that ignore individual diversity and intersectionality. While the "imprint hypothesis" suggests that major historical events during formative years shape a cohort's values, sociologists also identify life cycle effects—where individuals shift perspectives as they age—and period effects, which impact entire populations regardless of age. The media frequently amplifies extreme subcultures, such as the 1960s counterculture or modern digital habits, to define entire generations. This practice risks fostering ageism and social resentment by dismissing millions of people through labels like "snowflakes" or "entitled." Ultimately, these categories lack rigorous empirical backing, serving more to segment consumer markets than to accurately describe the complex, evolving nature of human behavior across different age groups.