By Branda Gorgies

Photos from Creative Commons, Pew Research Center

Who is Gen Z?

August 9, 2024 (San Diego) -- Generation Z, also known as Zoomers, includes all those born from 1997 to 2012, making the older end of the generation 27 years old this year and the younger end 12 years old. Before Gen Z, there were the Millennials(1981-‘96), and then Gen X(1965-‘80), the infamous Boomers(1946-’64), and the Silent generation(1928-‘45).

Generational divides have long been used as a way to categorize age in order to study demographics. Age and experiences are key factors in moral, political, and economic interests. By grouping people up by the year they were born, researchers can gain a good understanding of the difference that age creates. It also becomes easier to study the effects of environment and socioeconomic events on the development of those interests. It’s important to note that while there isn’t a concrete difference between those born in December of 1996 and those born in January of 1997, the sole use of generational divides is to work as a tool that makes research easier.