[News Terms] Distinguishing X, M, and Z Generations is Meaningless... The 'Perennial Generation' is Coming

Transcending Age and Generations with a Perennial Mindset
Parents and Children Generations Share Common Tastes and Sensibilities
Positive Impact on GDP Growth Potential

The number of terms used to distinguish generations is increasing. From the Baby Boomers to Generation X, Millennials (M), Generation Z, and now Generation Alpha have emerged. Sometimes they are grouped as the MZ generation or the Jjalpa (Z+Alpha) generation. Words that categorize groups based on age serve as tools for analyzing and understanding various social phenomena, including corporate sales and marketing strategies. For example, "The values of a certain generation are roughly like this," or "The tendencies of a certain generation differ from those of the previous generation."

Recently, a term suggesting that generational distinctions are meaningless has emerged. This is the "Perennial generation." It is a concept first proposed by Mauro Guillen, a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Perennial originally means "a plant that lives for several years." It also means "continuous" or "repetitive." It refers to people who are not bound by the lifestyle of their own generation and transcend age and generational boundaries. The emergence of the so-called "multi-generation" is due to increased life expectancy and advances in science and technology.

Idol group NewJeans [Photo by NewJeans Official Website]

People increasingly want to break free from traditional age stereotypes and expectations. This can be seen in various areas of life, including housing, education, and work. For example, middle-aged people changing careers, younger employees becoming mentors to older employees, and people of various ages learning together online. These examples show that modern people no longer live sequential lives but live with a perennial mindset that is not determined by age.

Professor Guillen argued that the perennial mindset can reduce conflicts between generations. He analyzed that the sequential life model, which follows rigid stages of play, learning, work, and retirement, has amplified intergenerational conflicts. Parents became harsh critics of their adolescent children. Workers disliked taxes for medical expenses and pensions, and retirees suffered from social isolation and loneliness. To reduce the scale of these conflicts and increase understanding between generations, Professor Guillen explained that people need to move away from the sequential life model.

The First Slam Dunk screened in theaters last year
[Photo by Yonhap News]

In a society based on a perennial mindset, Professor Guillen predicted that all age groups would compete fairly, and the expansion of the active population would increase the potential for gross domestic product (GDP) growth. In companies composed of multiple generations, opportunities for two-way mentoring would expand, making them more creative and productive. Moreover, if more people work, the funding issues of pension systems can be resolved.

The characteristics of the perennial generation can be found throughout our society. Looking at the Shin-bukgo (New Retro) phenomenon, Generation Z, the children’s generation, reinterpret and enjoy the tastes and sensibilities that their parents’ generation, Generation X, enjoyed at the same age, adapted to the present era. K-Pop idol groups like NewJeans also bring back the 1990s sensibility and gain popularity. When the popular 1990s manga Slam Dunk was released as the movie "The First Slam Dunk" last year, it became a hot topic among people in their teens to 40s and ranked first among domestic releases of Japanese animation in box office history. As Newtro becomes popular, Generation X and Generation Z are ultimately consuming the same culture. This phenomenon is similarly observed between the M generation and their children, Generation Alpha.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.