Meet The Geriatric Millennials, A New Term Defining A ‘New’ Generation — Are You One?

Definitions vary by a few years to designate different generations by their catchy names: Baby Boomers, Gen X, millennials (sometimes called Gen Y), and Gen Z (sometimes called centennials. But now there seems to be another, micro-generation fighting for acknowledgment: geriatric millennial.

This term comes in part thanks to that difficult vagueness and discrepancy surrounding the end of Gen Y and start of millennials. Observing individuals born from 1980 to 1985, digital teamwork expert Erica Dhawan noted how people in this range seemed able to navigate the generational divide, finding key points of solidarity with both. So, are you a geriatric millennial? Ready your avocado spread and grab the clicker – we’re exploring this new, remarkable generation!

Geriatric millennials: bridging the gap

Dhawan used her background as a digital teamwork expert to explore the concept of geriatric millennials. Specifically, she noted how this “special micro-generation” is very unique and helpful for being so able to navigate the two major generational types: Baby Boomers and millennials.

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In fact, she considers them “best positioned to lead teams that will thrive in the hybrid workplace.” This manifests in technological ways like how they’re “comfortable with both analog and digital forms of communication.” They grew up with the rise of computers but had enough years before computers and texting became so mainstream, they’re proficient in face-to-face communication. She sums up this unique balance, “They are neither ignorant of technology nor so engrossed in it that a voicemail inspires fear.”

One tough crowd

Rousing the demographic of geriatric millennials by listing the company they keep – Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, AirBnB co-founder Brian Chesky – wasn’t enough to please all Twitter users. Why?

We understand some are having *feelings* about this title.

Taking votes for a new one:

— Medium (@Medium) May 14, 2021

They take issue with the name geriatric millennial. In response to the Medium article, readers responded with humor and snark, daring the author, “Come and call me ‘geriatric millennial’ to my face.” Others tapped into their roots by replying “I prefer ‘elder millennial’ or ‘Xennial.’” Medium itself then proposed a poll for a new name defining this micro-generation that bridges big gaps in big ways. Which do you prefer, geriatric millennial, seasoned, preeminent, or original?