Which Generation Is Handling COVID-19 The Best?

I studied generational motivation for eleven years. Watching the coronavirus events unfold is a textbook lesson on each generation’s priorities, risk tolerance, and adaptability.  

So how is each generation reacting to the international pandemic? And perhaps more importantly, how will this impact how fast we get through this? 

Generation Z

During the crisis, photos of Spring-breakers and young partiers circled the Internet. Outraged commentators chided insensitive “Millennials” and irresponsible “invincibles” crowding bars and beaches. Too bad it wasn’t Millennials in the photos. 

Generation Z is the generation born after 1997. They are often mislabeled “Millennials” (the universal term used to describe anyone young). But Generation Z is very different from their older counterparts. Their reaction to the crisis is one example of why we cannot treat them the same.

Generation Z was raised on a mobile device. They use their smartphones to do schoolwork, watch movies, and stay connected with their parents and peers. According to a recent report by Snapchat, Generation Z spends an average of 4 hours and 15 minutes on their smartphones every day. FaceTime and virtual meetups already replaced in-person communication for this generation. With offices and schools closed, the rest of the world is forced to communicate like Generation Z. 

Generation Z is a generation used to being alone, but still doing things together. The most popular web-based games include virtual collaboration and real-time problem-solving. Their virtual lives mean they are location agnostic. They play, learn, and work everywhere - at home, the back of an Uber, a classroom, or the mall. That being said, Generation Z sees how dangerous digital devices can be. According to one study, 48% of Generation Z believes social media makes them feel sad, anxious, or depressed.

Generation Z is experiencing the coronavirus pandemic at a very crucial age. As teenagers and those in their early twenties, they are still forming their beliefs about how the world works. They will remember how quickly their lives were disrupted and how uncertain the world around them can become. 

After this crisis, Generation Z will see the world adapt to their communication preferences. More companies will be structured for telework. More schools will offer blended at-home and traditional classroom curriculum. They will seek stability in their lives and work and choose careers least likely to be disrupted by a global crisis. Generation Z will see a global world getting increasingly smaller as the virtual collaboration replaces in-person connections.

Millennials

The Millennial generation is born between 1982 and 1996. They are the cohort famous for inventing Facebook, disrupting industries, and putting off marriage and kids. Now well into their thirties, the Millennial generation is reacting to the coronavirus as young professionals and growing families. They are not partying. They are not ignoring the “Stay at Home” initiatives. They are working from home, checking in on friends, and encouraging their parents to stay home and stay safe. The wanderlust generation has swapped their selfies on the beach for FaceTime dates with coworkers and grandparents. 

Millennials came up during the age of the Internet. They see technology as the solution to whatever challenges they face - including this international pandemic. Millennials are sharing homeschool curriculums, at-home workouts, and reading lists with their virtual community. They have perfected the art of ordering groceries online and conducting meetings in yoga pants. 

Millennials are also extremely health conscious. They opt for organic and health-conscious brands, and religiously follow the diet of the day. This means they have become early adopters of prevention best practices like social distancing. It isn’t just their physical health that Millennials care about. Millennials are very open about mental health - particularly anxiety and depression. This generation is taking to their social media sites and posting their mental health statuses, tips to stay healthy, and encouragement for those feeling lonely and afraid. 

After this crisis, Millennials will have a renewed appreciation for personal interaction. Before the coronavirus outbreak, Millennials longed for a more digital future. Young professionals lobbied companies for more “work-from-home” days and joked about not wanting to leave their homes unless they had to. With their wishes granted, this generation will reevaluate their priorities and put more stock in traditional relationships and social interactions. 

Generation X 

Generation X, the generation born between 1965 and 1981, has had one of the most interesting reactions to the coronavirus spread.

Generation X is a high-compliance generation. Even if they don’t agree with the rules, they will enforce them. However, Generation X is also extremely skeptical. They don’t believe the first thing they hear and need to see the facts before they buy-in. Initially, Generation X wasn’t sure how seriously to take the COVID-19 threat. But now, with overwhelming data about how contagious the virus is, they have taken to their social media accounts to warn their community not to leave the house. 

Known as the “latch-key generation,” Generation X is exceptionally independent. They don’t expect the government to take care of them. They aren’t waiting for neighbors to check in on them. They don’t trust the stores to stay stocked. They are taking the immediate initiative to take care of their family and their community themselves. This also means that Generation X is quick to adapt to new work settings. Working from home, or waiting to go back to work, is an unfortunate uncertainty for many. However, Generation X is the master of perspective and sees the big picture instead of their personal situation. 

As parents, Generation X is embracing this season with their kids. They are the first generation of Americans that grew up with two working parents. Now with school-aged kids at home, Generation X is embracing their one-on-one time with their kids away from technology. They are sharing their favorite games, going on walks, and having family game nights - activities they may not have had with their busy parents.

After the coronavirus crisis, Generation X will continue to be the resilient and adaptive generation they have always been. They will look back on this time and cherish the moments they had with their kids. They will see this crisis as a lesson to be learned about preparing for the unexpected and being ready for the unknown. 

Baby Boomers 

Baby Boomers continue to be the rebels - even into their 70’s. Despite the reports that older Americans are most at risk, Baby Boomers continue to run errands, go to the grocery store, and enjoy their hobbies. 

Perhaps this is causing one of the most interesting mass generational role-reversals: Millennials telling their Baby Boomer parents to stay home. I hear countless reports from Millennial children checking in on their parents, only to find their parents living life as usual.

Born between 1946 and 1964, Baby Boomers are a lively generation of older Americans who are staying active, whether they are retired or working. As an older generation that has experienced their share of global crises, Baby Boomers were skeptical of the threat. They have high trust in medical institutions and modern medical breakthroughs. This is perhaps why they were slow adopters to prevention techniques like masks and gloves. 

With the crisis well underway, Baby Boomers have turned into the problem-solvers they were born to be. Retired Baby Boomers nurses and doctors are rushing back into the workforce to help the overwhelmed medical community. Baby Boomer business leaders are holding virtual conferences for those experiencing losses. Baby Boomer politicians are conducting daily briefings on the current status of the virus and sharing preventative measures with their constituents. 

After this coronavirus crisis, Baby Boomers will conduct a post-mortem on the situation. They will analyze what could have been done better and create processes for the future. No doubt, they are already writing books and research papers on the subject. 

Traditionalists

One of our oldest generations, the Traditionalist Generation, is born between 1925 and 1945. 

Traditionalists took the health threat seriously early on, particularly reports about high mortality rates amongst the elderly. The Traditionalist Generation is very informed, watching nearly five hours of television a day, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With age comes wisdom, and this older generation of Americans understands how fragile human life is. They are taking extreme precautions to protect themselves and their families. 

As a self-sufficient and proud generation, Traditionalists do not want to be a burden on others. Those in care facilities are encouraging their family members that they are safe and healthy. Traditionalists living with family members or on their own are asking for respectful social distancing. However, many in this generation are accustomed to relying on the help of others. This means they are more likely to ask for assistance in getting groceries or medications.

After the coronavirus, the Traditionalist Generation will continue to place a high value on life. They will use this as an opportunity to teach the younger generations the importance of family and community. If we are smart, we will heed their lessons and live our lives accordingly. 

As we transition through the phases of fighting the coronavirus outbreak, I believe each generation will rise to the occasion. I see young people delivering food to those who cannot leave their homes. Musicians are live-streaming their performances. Families are making memories together, and communities are stronger than ever before. 

As my Baby Boomer mother taught me, we can either react to the circumstances in our lives or rise to the occasion. 

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