Born In The Wrong Generation: Part One

BY AUSTIN GRABOW/STAR-TIMES

For as long as I can remember, I have felt out of place or perhaps misplaced in the wrong generation.

Being born in the beginning of 1998 means that I am officially considered to be a Millenial (1981 to 1998). After Millenials, comes Generation Z (Gen. Z), which is 1999 to 2016.

On paper it looks like nothing, but to be connected to 17 year period of time where I was only alive for eight months of the final year is interesting. Both Millenials and Gen. Z are considered to be technically savvy, with Millenials being the first to experience the introduction of the internet.

To set the scene, my mother was also born during the final year of her generation, being the Baby Boomers (1946 to 1964). Generation X (1965 to 1980) follows the Baby Boomer's Generation. My mother and her four siblings were all born and raised in the backroads of Missouri, near the Lake of the Ozarks.

Her upbringing heavily influenced my own as I was raised predominately by my mother. This meant that technology in my childhood homes was the bare minimum.

Personally, I grew up riding my bike everywhere and for everything. The street lights turning on meant it was time to come home. I listened to older music and really enjoyed it. My peers around me would have the latest toys, a computer and internet, and as I got into junior high, cell phones. I was among the last to get my own cellphone being my freshman year of high school.

Overall, it's probably been the best thing to ever happen to me.