ninjafaery
The Jones Generation
Posted on: 03/19/2009 19:09
http://generationjones.com/2009latest.html
I had no idea that there was a cohort between Boomers and GenXer's known as "Joneses". This is the group born between 1954 and '64. Of course, it's only relevant to ad agencies and demographers, but I find it interesting, taken with a handful of salt. We are called "Jones" for two reasons. Keeping up with the Jones' is supposed to be important to us (not really in my case -- maybe more among the younger ones) and the sense of "Jonesin'" for the dimly-remembered prosperity of the past that disappeared as we grew up.
It seems to explain why I feel differently about a lot of things than my older boomer siblings. I grew up and came of age when things like the sexual revolution, the pill, civil rights, feminism, and gay rights were pretty much a given value. I argued endlessly with my family about all these things. I never believed that the prosperity of the boomer generation came about through hard work -- it was a socio economic environment where there were jobs in one's field, moms at home, and a post-war economic boom. They were frickin' lucky. I watched the "Partridge Family" and "That Girl" instead of "Father Knows Best" and "Leave it to Beaver".
Interesting.
I am both idealistic and realistic, but not as cynical as GenXers.
What do you make of these arbitrary groupings? Do you relate to your generation?
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trishcuit
Posted on: 03/19/2009 19:51
they WERE frickin' lucky. You got it. We are almost all products of our environment. The economy etc. Read up on the Great Depression. Those folks were more than willing to work but there was not only no work, there was also a drought that brought catastrophic crop failure and soil erosion. Steinbecks' 'The Grapes of Wrath' is an excellent example of the people of that time.
ninjafaery
Posted on: 03/19/2009 20:19
Just changed the link to a better one. Here's another one, too.
http://www.jonathanpontell.com/aboutgenjones.htm
Find out what kind of Jones you are.
http://www.generationjones.co.uk/gen_jones/survey/
ninjafaery
Posted on: 03/19/2009 20:13
I'm wondering if depression era grandparents and parents didn't want want their kids to go without like they did, hence the Boomers???? That's what I grew up hearing. "You've never been hungry a day in your life!".
trishcuit
Posted on: 03/19/2009 21:11
I'm wondering if depression era grandparents and parents didn't want want their kids to go without like they did, hence the Boomers???? That's what I grew up hearing. "You've never been hungry a day in your life!".
I have not been TRULY hungry in the sense that they were either. When my kids say 'Mom, I'm STARVING!' I tell them 'You don't know what that means'.
Pinga
Posted on: 03/21/2009 00:08
I'm born in '58, so smack dab in the Jones generation.
will check it out, ninja..thanks
Witch
Posted on: 03/21/2009 00:11
I wasn't aware until just now that I was a "Joneser"
Pinga
Posted on: 03/21/2009 08:18
Heh, y'all, do you think it is a clever marketing by some savvy motivational speaker, or....is it statistically relevant.
ninjafaery
Posted on: 03/21/2009 22:03
I absolutely think it's a marketing ploy. There's an obsession with pinpointing a demographic to figure out how to sell to them. Having said that however, I do feel we've been pegged with reasonable accuracy. This would certainly only hold true for those parts of the world that had a specific pop culture. Also we absorb our culture and that likely shapes some of our attitudes.
I wonder what the big corporations can sell us?
Pinga
Posted on: 03/21/2009 22:20
hmmm, it depends on what they convince us we need first, ninjafaery.
ninjafaery
Posted on: 03/23/2009 16:15
I couldn't find much about it on the 'net, but the overall impression I got was that Joneses are "early adopters" of technology, so maybe techie toys. Menopause is another focus, and spicy food.......
Pinga
Posted on: 03/23/2009 17:02
oh wait, you are telling me my new blackberry is a techie-toy? really...
...lol..of course it is....it was what i spoiled myself with this year. i would rather buy a tech toy than clothes...
spicy food..yup like that..
oh..entering menopause? i would say definitely.
Wisewyldwomyn
Posted on: 03/23/2009 17:08
Hello Joneses....I am a Gen x- er but just wanted to say hi. I don't want to hijack the thread but perhaps you will want to check out my "Cultural Creatives" thread under Religion and Faith.
Shawna
Elanorgold
Posted on: 03/23/2009 19:41
Oh yeah, I think the groupings are fairly applicable. I'm a gen X'er. I guess I'm synical. I listened to a show on the radio last year about it as it pertains to hiring. It all made sence and sounded spot on to me. The kids after me and wisewyld, the gen Y'ers, are another group yet. I'm proud of my generation! Yeah! Rock on!
Advocatus Diaboli
Posted on: 03/23/2009 21:51
Pinga
Posted on: 03/23/2009 20:00
maybe if you could work on your spelling your posts would be easier to read...sorry, but, I have no idea what you wrote above...please translate someone.
Pinga
Posted on: 03/23/2009 23:42
hmm, improving the spelling didn't help.
Advocatus Diaboli
Posted on: 03/24/2009 01:07
mm hah ha
Oh well...