Generations, Age Groups and Cohorts: Conceputal Distinctions

Abstract

Current scholarship in the sociology of age relations suffers from conceptual ambiguity and confusion in the area of age and generational relations. This paper recommends precise definition and use of the terms cohort, generation, age grade, age stratum, age group, and generation groups. Concrete or real definitional constructs are distinguished from nominal constructs and their advantages are described. The central thrust of the paper is a call for a return to the conceptualization of Mannheim about generations and a parallel conceptualization concerning age groups. The usefulness of this approach is discussed in terms of the political sociology of age relations.

What Happened to the "Long Civic Generation"? Explaining Cohort Differences in Volunteerism

“…Our analysis assumes that the difference between generations is constant across ages and across periods. As Marshall (1983) points out, generational consciousness can be modified by historical events. For example, the object of attentionvolunteering -could change in significance or value over time.…”

“…He uses the term "generation of actuality" to describe a birth cohort among whom a "concrete bond" has been forged by virtue of the cohort's common exposure to "social and intellectual" conditions. Unfortunately, this crucial distinction is not always observed and the terms are used interchangeably (Marshall 1983). But cohort -or "generational" -location, while necessary, is not a sufficient condition for a generation to exist (Pilcher 1994).…”

“…A birth cohort is thus similar to a class in itself It is distinguished from other birth cohorts by structural characteristics, such as size and racial composition, of common conditions of existence, such as educational opportunities, family size, an economic boom or depression (Easterlin 1987;Ryder 1965). A generation is similar to a class for itself It is a birth cohort that has become aware of itself as different from other birth cohorts because of some set of events that occurred during its formative period (Marshall 1983). Not every birth cohort becomes a generation.…”

Pluralisme méthodologique et stratégies multi-méthodes en gérontologie

“…Heureusement, et il convient de le faire remarquer, les querelles a propos des methodes n'ont pas emousse l'effort d'innovation methodologique en gerontologie: je pense ici aux applications a partir de construits methodologiques tels ceux de cohorte, de periode et de generation (Marshall, 1983), a l'approche sequentielle dans les etudes longitudinales (Schaie, 1988), aux techniques de construction d'echelles multidimensionnelles (Cliff, 1982), aux methodes d'analyse multivariees (cf. LISREL), a l'analyse factorielle confirmatoire (Schaie, 1992;Herzog, 1989), aux strategies d'echantillonnage dans l'etude des populations rares (Kalton & Anderson, 1989), et enfin aux methodes qualitatives (Reinharz & Rowles, 1988).…”

Changing intergenerational relationship

“…Unfortunately, this crucial distinction is not always observed and the terms are used interchangeably. 9 Third, he used the term 'generation unit' to signify people who belong to the same cohort (Generationseinheit): this refers to a state in which uniformity of response to specific social phenomena has been established as a result of shared experiences among members. This uniformity implies similarity in consciousness and shared orientation toward historical problems, and creates distinctive value orientations and cultural styles specific to a generation.…”