What is the Next Generation?
If you’ve come across the term ‘Next Generation’ anywhere on the Positive Presence website, you might have wondered what it meant. We refer to the group of people best suited for the services Positive Presence is trained to provide as the ‘Next Generation’. In this blog post, we are going to go into a little bit more detail about what the ‘Next Generation’ is, who the ‘Next Generation’ is, and where we think they are going. Ready? Let’s go!
The Next Generation Explained
Technically speaking, the ‘Next Generation’ is anyone in one of the latest 3 generations (Gen Y, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha). Collectively, these are people born between 1981 and 2025, although mostly we are talking about Gen Zers, with some cusp babies being included on either end as well. At Positive Presence, our goal is to enrich, inspire and empower the ‘Next Generation’ so they can grow and create a positive ripple effect for the generations after them.
To get a better understanding of the age range Positive Presence works with and our overarching goals, here is a brief explanation of each generation:
Generation Y (born 1981-1996)
Generation Y is the technical term, but you’re likely more familiar with the popular term ‘Millennials”. Generation Y adopted this term because they were the first adults at the turn of the millennium. Millennials are distinct for growing up in worlds both with and without technology. They were young adults during 9/11, saw the rise of smartphones and the internet, and have had a front-row, formative seat to many of the key historical happenings of the last 3 decades.
Major concerns and areas of struggles associated most with this generation include:
- Depression
- Financial Concern/Debt
- Drug & Alcohol Addiction
- Loss of Purpose
- Body Image
Generation Z (born 1997-2012)
Generation Z is the technical term for children born between 1997 and 2012, but they are also referred to as ‘iGen’. Members of iGen adopted this name because they have spent most of their life within the modern world of technology. Most of these people do not remember a time without computers, smartphones, or iPads. This generation is uniquely diverse, educated, and more familiar with non-heteronormative identities than generations of the past. iGen members are connected to things like social media, climate change, an incline in mass school shootings and violence among minorities, and other socio-political issues. According to The Daily Free Press, Gen Z is “the most depressed generation, but also the generation most likely to engage in social activism.”
Major concerns and areas of struggles associated most with this generation include:
- Anxiety
- Stress Management
- Social Issues
- Personal Identity
- Social Media & Gaming Addiction
Generation Alpha (born 2013-2025)
Considering the previous generation was Gen Z, it makes sense that the following generation is “starting over” in a sense as the Alpha Generation. The youngest of this generation are only aged 9 at this time (and many are yet to be born), so we are still learning about the nuances and cornerstones of this generation. Theorists predict this generation to be highly diverse. Generation Alpha will be the children of many Millennials. Considering only 1 in 6 Millennials were raised by both parents, these parents place marriage and parenting far above career and financial success. Theorists also speculate that, like Gen Z, Gen Alphas will prefer content in visual and voice forms over written and text content.
Major concerns and areas of struggles associated most with this generation are yet to be determined.
Generation Alpha is where the Positive Presence magic happens. Our goal is to educate and inspire the older generations (Y and Z) to radiate positivity, optimism, and self-assurance so it influences their younger peers (Gen Alpha) to think and act in similar ways, creating a positive ripple effect to last generations. We hope to nickname this generation as the ‘Positive Presence Generation’!
Why We Say the ‘Next Generation’ at Positive Presence
Instead of saying Gen Z or those aged 12-28, we prefer to use the term the ‘Next Generation’ when talking about those that fit well into the Positive Presence mentor-coaching programs. We chose this route because we are positively and optimistically focused on how the up and coming generations (Y, Z, Alpha) are going to help shape the future of our world. We aspire to provide tools to people in these groups to help them view the world through a positive lens while at the same time encouraging others to do the same.
To us at Positive Presence, using the ‘Next Generation’ is a more inclusive and accurate description of the group of people we serve. Our services can benefit anyone in the next generation who is ready and willing to become the best version of themselves in all areas of life.
How Do I Know if I Fit for Mentor-Coaching with Positive Presence?
If you are part of the ‘next generation’ and you think you might benefit from speaking with a mentor-coach to discuss any of the following topics, you are likely a great fit for Positive Presence mentor-coaching.
Reasons to Seek Mentor-Coaching
- Self-confidence and self-worth
- Authenticity
- Growth mindset
- Limiting beliefs
- Practicing positivity
- Self-discipline
- Emotional awareness
- Emotional control
- Communication
- Relationships
- Stress management
- Resiliency
- Budgeting
- Body image
- Health and nutrition
- Goal-setting
- Purposeful living
If you are currently or have struggled in the past with any of the above topics or want to simply focus on improving your mental health, we can help. Positive Presence Mentor-Coaches are uniquely trained to help with each of these topics and more.
If you are interested in a free consultation and finding the perfect mentor-coach for you, take this brief assessment and one of our communication specialists will reach out to you ASAP.