Outdoor Literature

 

Review of the Generations

   

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Review of The Generations & Their Relationship with Outdoor History

Transcendental  Generation
(Generational Type: Idealistic). Born from 1792 to 1821.  They were leaders during the Civil War.  An example is Abraham Lincoln. An outdoor example is Thoreau.  Outdoor Profile:  Budding interest in the appreciation of the outdoors and outdoor activity.

Gilded Generation (Generational Type: Reactive).  Born from 1822 to 1842.  They were soldiers during the Civil War. An example is Mark Twain.  Outdoor Profile:  Golden age of mountaineering and exploration of the American West.

Progressive Generation (Generational Type: Adaptive).  Born from 1843 to 1859.  They were children during the Civil War.  They are known as good organizers.  Thomas Edison and Henry James are examples.  Outdoor Profile: Outdoor interest wanes.

Missionary  Generation (Generational Type: Idealistic).  Born from 1860-1882.  A number of people of this generation were social reformers.  Members of this generation fought for and were successful in gaining a woman's right to vote.  Frank Lloyd Wright, Upton Sinclair, Mary Kingsley, Robert Falcon Scott, Roald Amundsen, Robert Service, Jack London, and Ernest Shackleton are examples.  Outdoor Profile: Great interest in outdoor and exploration.

Lost Generation (Generational Type: Reactive).  Born from 1883-1900.  They were soldiers that fought in the trenches during World War I. Examples include Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, George Mallory, Sigurd Olson and Aldo Leopold are examples.  Outdoor Profile:  World War I causes an interruption in exploration but interest remains and some notable personalities, writers and spokesman emerge.

GI  Generation (Generational Type: Civic).  Born from 1901-1924.  They were soldiers of World War II and afterwards helped build the U.S. into a world power.  Examples include John F. Kennedy, John Wayne, John Steinbeck, Sir Edmund Hillary, Wallace Stegner, Walt Blackadar and Colin Fletcher.  Outdoor Profile:  Except for some notable exceptions, over-all public interest in outdoor activities wanes.

Silent Generation (Generational Type: Adaptive).  Born from 1925-1942.  This generation was largely conformist. They produced no presidents. Examples include Edward Abbey, Roland Huntford and John McPhee.  Outdoor Profile: Over-all public interest in outdoor activities continues to drop.

Boom Generation (Generational Type: Idealistic).  Born from 1943-1960.  This generation is often known by its involvement in antiwar protests.  Examples include:  Jon Krakauer, Terry Tempest Williams, Annie Dillard, David Hayes and Pam Houston.  Outdoor Profile: Sharp increase in outdoor activities and interest in nature and wilderness. 

Generation X (Generational Type: Reactive).  Born from 1961-1981.  This generation has often been criticized for being lazy.  Some writers have called them slackers, but this generation slowed and reversed the crime rates and declines in SAT scores.   Examples include: Mark Twight.  Outdoor Profile: Participation levels continue to increase and risk level increases greatly.

Millennial Generation (Generational Type: Civic).  Born 1982 and upwards.  If past trends hold true, this generation's interest in outdoor activities will likely cool some.


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