{"id":99109,"date":"2023-04-11T16:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-11T20:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=99109"},"modified":"2023-04-17T13:56:39","modified_gmt":"2023-04-17T17:56:39","slug":"strauss-howe-generational-theory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/strauss-howe-generational-theory\/","title":{"rendered":"The Strauss-Howe Generational Theory (From The Fourth Turning)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Which generation are you? What role do you play in society right now? Do you fit the archetype?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to historian William Strauss and consultant Neil Howe, each generation in society fits into one of four different archetypes: the Prophet, the Nomad, the Hero, and the Artist. In The Fourth Turning<\/em>, they discuss the role the generations play in each cycle of history<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on to learn about the Strauss-Howe generational theory, its applications, and its implications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Strauss-Howe Generational Theory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The birth range of a generation is about 15 to 25 years\u2014approximately the same length as a Turning\u2014and the pattern proceeds almost universally in this order. Those born on the cusps of generational divides can be sorted based on the generation they most identify with\u2014for example, the Boomer generation spanned from approximately 1943 to 1960, but someone born in 1961 might identify with the Boomer generation, while someone born in 1959 might identify with Generation X.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Critics of the Strauss-Howe generational theory argue that distinctions between age groups like the ones Strauss and Howe<\/a> make are arbitrary and unsupported by solid evidence<\/a>. They point out that different theories on generations contradict each other and often use such vague criteria that they become useless. Others point out that generational divisions presume that people have more in common with strangers their own age<\/a> than with older or younger people they know very well. Further, such divisions are often just used as marketing tools to target groups for certain products.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Archetypes and Their Roles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The authors explain that, for every archetype, each phase of life is accompanied by unique social roles. The childhood<\/strong> phase is defined by receiving support from others and learning morals. The way society views and treats children varies with the Turnings, shifting back and forth between the belief that children need to be highly protected and looked after and the belief that they need little protection with a tendency toward hands-off parenting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Some experts have addressed the past few decades\u2019 shift toward more protective parenting and attribute it to societal factors rather than cyclical changes. They point out that society has shifted away from tight-knit neighborhood communities<\/a> where parents and children all know each other, so there are fewer opportunities for children to socialize away from home. Additionally, schools have become more and more dominant in children\u2019s lives, and the idea of a pedagogical method of child-rearing has spread from schools to homes. This causes parents to feel they need to constantly monitor their children rather than trusting them to play and grow freely.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young adulthood<\/strong> is defined by service to society and the testing of morals. It\u2019s the age where people are building and pursuing their dreams, forming families, and carrying out the work that keeps society moving such as lower-level work and military service. The degree to which young adults respect and carry on the work of older generations varies with the Turnings, shifting between dutiful conformity and rebellious individualism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Some experts suggest that there is an intermediary life stage<\/a> between childhood and adulthood called emerging adulthood, which spans ages 18 to 25<\/a>. Research shows that the brain continues to develop during this age range, and most people in this age group report still feeling like children in some ways. During this period, people are still figuring out their identities and what kind of future they want to build. The addition of this generational category may better represent the roles of people under 25 than a category that places a 21-year-old and a 39-year-old in the same life phase.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Midlife<\/strong> is defined by managing society and upholding morals. This is when people are reaping the rewards from their work during young adulthood, making their dreams a reality, and beginning to take on leadership roles in society. Depending on the Turning, mid-lifers\u2019 leadership roles shift between being more pronounced in politics and being more pronounced in culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elderhood<\/strong> is defined by leading society and passing on morals to younger generations. People are relieved of the burden of work and spend their time in leisure and recreation, or they take on society\u2019s most powerful leadership positions. The influence that Elders have on society shifts with the Turnings between culture and politics\u2014when mid-lifers are wielding greater influence in politics, elder influence shifts to culture and vice versa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As they go through the phases of life, the archetypes take on new roles and characteristics, such as the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n