Page 30 - Robeson Living Spring 2020

Badda Bing Badda Boom...

By Lisa S. Thoman

My momma always told me “there is not a book on how to cise and life lessons occurred” (Nordicit & Is There a Problem?
raise children” and later in life when my own family grew, I – How I See it Pingback 2016.) Technology in the 1960’s and
giggled because parenting takes on a whole new paradigm in 1970’s did not impact the family paradigm because it was used
the 2000’s and the decades following it. Parents raising chil- mainly in academia. Boomers see technology as an aid to find
dren from 2000-2019 are challenged with a balancing act from information quicker, convenience; nothing more nothing less.
juggling full time jobs, daycare and afterschool sports/dance/
cheer/church, school/family events, homework/projects, va- Generation X | Technology Evolution | Born between 1965 -
cations, sickness, and all types of household responsibilities. 1979 | Currently 40 - 54 years old
However, what divides the parenting styles are generational.
This generation values education (1st generation college) and
What kind of Techie Parent are you based on the generation cultural diversity more than the Baby Boomers. The Gen Xers
you grew up in? are credited for the two-income family, latch-key children, and
a shift in workforce jobs went from manufacturing to office
Baby Boomers | Digital Immigrants | Born between 1946 - and service work. Technology of the time were computers in
1964 | Currently 55 - 73 years old the home, email and smartphones for the workplace. Well,
what was their childhood like and how did they pass the time?
Society was just being introduced to Apple and IBM desktops Children and teenagers found a balance between school and
and cell phones were not even conceived yet. Technology of home (latch-key kid), MTV music videos, walkmans, babysit-
the time were radio, tube television and landline/rotary tele- ting, reading and hanging out with friends, playing nintendo
phones. This generation was not exposed to video games or was a gathering of friends, drive-in movie theaters, social in-
apps on smart phones during their childhood. Well, what was teraction was more important than school work on the com-
their childhood like and how did they pass the time? Children puter. Gen Xers are about flexibility, values and balance verses
and teenagers found “ entertainment outdoors with other chil- their parents who worked hard for one company and intoler-
dren in the neighborhood, where conversational skills, exer- ant of change. Generation X embraces change to gain knowl-

Page 30 Robeson Living ~ Spring 2020