Talking about our generations
The basis of popular television show, Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation is about to undergo rigorous academic investigation in a nation-wide study.
Previous research suggests that generational affiliation is one of the most useful factors, even ahead of class, in analysing social change. Now, Monash researchers, in collaboration with La Trobe University, the National Library of Australia and ABC Radio National, are investigating the impact of different generations on Australian history and culture in the Australian Generations Oral History Project.
The accuracy of common assumptions about the Builders (1925-46), Baby Boomers (1947-64), Generation X (1965-79) and Generation Y (1980-94) will be investigated through extensive interviews with members of the public. Researchers will also look at how demographic factors like class, gender, ethnicity, race and region interact with generational characteristics.
Project leader, Professor Alistair Thomson of the School of Philosophical, Historical and International Studies at Monash University believes the project will fill an important research gap.
“There is general agreement that generational differences in cultural ‘taste’ and resources affect social change, and are significant in conflict and cohesion as well as in mobility and value transmission, but these differences and their consequences have rarely been analysed in any detail,” Professor Thomson said.
“Our team will record and analyse life history interviews with 300 Australians born between 1920 and 1990 as a way of investigating, for example, how some generational cohorts such as the Baby Boomers, come to develop a shared consciousness and take an active historical role.”
“These recordings will then be stored at the National Library of Australia, providing a rich resource for future cultural researchers.”
Professor Thomson said the Australian Generations Oral History Project will be one of the most ambitious oral history projects to be undertaken by a university.
“This is the first major national project to investigate intergenerational dynamics and the impact of social, technological and environmental changes on the experiences and attitudes of Australian generations.”
Radio National’s Hindsight will run a series of broadcasts based on the project, featuring excerpts of the interviews and an associated anthology of interviews will be published, followed by a publication of scholarly analysis.